Chemical giant 3M has agreed to pay 10.3 billion dollars to stop PFAS pollution in public water systems across the United States, as disclosed by the company itself. PFAS, or perfluorinated substances, are toxic chemicals used in the manufacture of many kitchen items and everyday consumer products.
The settlement marks a historical moment where 3M and the cities that sued the company reached an agreement outside of court. By agreeing to pay 10.3 billion dollars, the company avoids further litigation. Importantly, 3M states that the deal does not acknowledge liability for PFAS contamination in drinking water networks serving affected communities.
The payment will be disbursed over 13 years to address pollution linked to PFAS, substances found in numerous products and widely studied by scientists. Regulators in the European Union are deliberating a broad ban on many PFAS compounds, reflecting growing concern over their health and environmental impacts.
Greenpeace has highlighted PFAS in protests aimed at raising awareness about these substances and their spread into the environment within and beyond the United States.
In recent years, the chemical industry, including 3M, has faced thousands of complaints related to PFAS contamination. According to Reuters, these concerns have driven a significant wave of lawsuits against 3M and other companies involved in PFAS production and use.
The lead attorney for the plaintiffs described the settlement as the largest drinking water agreement in U.S. history. He stated that the deal would fund filtration and cleanup efforts to reduce PFAS levels in public drinking water, with the aim of improving health outcomes for millions of Americans who rely on these systems.
Previously, 3M was scheduled to appear in federal court in South Carolina in a case brought by the Stuart, Florida city council. The hearing was canceled by the presiding judge, delaying the proceedings.
4,000 lawsuits against major chemical companies in the United States
The Stuart council filed its suit in 2018, alleging that firefighting foams containing PFAS contaminated local soil and groundwater. This case is one of more than 4,000 lawsuits targeting 3M and other chemical firms over PFAS practices.
Photographs and reports have shown that foams containing PFAS can leach into groundwater, prompting concern from environmental agencies about long-term exposure risks. PFAS are often called “forever chemicals” because they resist breakdown in the body and the environment. They have been linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and broader ecological damage. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has identified PFAS as an urgent public health and environmental issue.
The EPA has tightened several regulations around PFAS in recent years, and in March announced first-ever national drinking water standards for six PFAS chemicals. In response to public pressure, 3M has set 2025 as a target to halt PFAS production.
Other major chemical firms, including Chemours Co, DuPont de Nemours Inc, and Corteva Inc, have also faced substantial settlements related to PFAS. These actions reflect a broader trend of state and federal efforts to address drinking water contamination and to hold manufacturers accountable for pollution.
Over the past years, multiple state attorneys general have pursued cases against PFAS producers, with some securing significant verdicts and settlements. For instance, Minnesota obtained a substantial settlement related to PFAS contamination from 3M in a 2018 agreement.
For more information on PFAS and regulatory updates, researchers and communities are encouraged to follow official environmental agency announcements and major court outcomes. Sources include government reports and major news agencies that continue to track developments in PFAS regulation and mitigation efforts.
Note: This article does not include contact details or submission forms. All information is presented with clear attribution to the relevant reporting organizations and public regulatory statements.