Chemical Giant 3M Will Compensate U.S. Public Water Systems Over Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’ Used in Firefighting Foam and Consumer Goods

The chemical company 3M has announced that it will start making payments in the third quarter of the year as part of a settlement that addresses contamination of U.S. public drinking water systems with harmful chemicals. The settlement, worth billions of dollars, stems from legal action related to the use of per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) – chemicals linked to firefighting foam and various consumer products.

On Monday, 3M, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, confirmed that the final approval for the settlement had been granted by the U.S. District Court in Charleston, South Carolina. The terms of the settlement include ongoing payouts until 2036, with the total amount ranging from $10.5 billion to $12.5 billion, depending on future discoveries of contamination.

Mike Roman, the CEO and Chairman of 3M, stated that this settlement marked a significant advancement for the company’s efforts. He highlighted that, alongside this resolution, 3M is continuing its commitment to cease all PFAS production by the end of 2025, thus reducing potential risks and uncertainties moving forward.

The settlement compensates public water systems affected by PFAS contamination. These chemicals, commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” are notorious for their persistence in the environment, as they do not break down naturally. PFAS have been linked to severe health issues such as liver damage, immune system disruption, and increased cancer risks.

Detected in drinking water across the U.S., PFAS has prompted action from environmental regulators. In March 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed stringent regulations to limit two of the most common PFAS compounds, PFOA and PFOS, and outlined plans to regulate four others. Water systems will now be required to monitor and manage these chemicals in their supplies.

The lawsuit, which led to this settlement, originated in Stuart, Florida, and is part of a broader effort by nearly 300 communities that filed similar lawsuits against companies involved in producing firefighting foam or the chemicals it contained. The compensation will assist in covering the costs of PFAS filtration in affected water systems.

Additionally, some of the funds from the settlement will be used to support further testing of water systems for contamination. Lead attorney Scott Summy, representing the communities involved in the lawsuits, stated that any water provider finding further contamination by June 2026 will be eligible for compensation.

“This is a positive outcome for American citizens who rely on public water systems,” said Summy. “It will help eliminate PFAS from drinking water, which is the key benefit of this settlement.”

In a similar move last June, DuPont and its subsidiaries, Chemours and Corteva, reached a $1.18 billion settlement to address PFAS contamination with approximately 300 drinking water suppliers, joining 3M in resolving widespread environmental issues related to these harmful chemicals.