3M Agrees to $450 Million Settlement for PFAS Contamination in New Jersey

In a groundbreaking agreement, 3M has committed to pay New Jersey between $400 million and $450 million over 25 years to resolve allegations of harmful drinking water contamination in the state. The settlement, announced recently, is the largest of its kind in New Jersey's history and stems from claims that “forever chemicals” or PFAS, which have been tied to numerous health risks, contaminated groundwater from the Chambers Works industrial site in Deepwater, N.J. This facility, once part of DuPont, was the focus of a lawsuit filed by New Jersey in 2019 against multiple PFAS manufacturers.

PFAS, known for their use in products such as nonstick cookware and water-resistant textiles, have been associated with serious health concerns, including metabolic disorders and increased risks of specific cancers. Under the terms of the settlement, the funds will be allocated for remediation efforts, including cleanup and the treatment of drinking water contaminated by these chemicals.

While 3M is responsible for this settlement, DuPont and its spinoff Chemours, who are also implicated in the contamination claims, have yet to resolve their part of the situation, with upcoming court proceedings anticipated. DuPont has refrained from commenting on the matter at this time.