St. Paul, Minnesota – 3M announced a settlement that could total $7.35 billion to resolve lawsuits from individuals who say they were harmed by exposure to per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called “forever chemicals.” The company will make payments over nine years, beginning with $50 million this year and more than $1 billion annually from 2028 through 2033.
Under the agreement, up to 120,000 claimants may receive compensation for alleged health effects linked to PFAS contamination of groundwater near military bases, airports and other sites where firefighting foam was used. 3M did not admit liability.
Background on PFAS
PFAS are synthetic compounds used in firefighting foam, non‑stick cookware, water‑ and grease‑resistant clothing, and other consumer products. Because they do not break down naturally, they persist in the environment and have been associated with liver and immune system damage as well as certain cancers.
Previous settlements and industry response
3M’s chairman, William Brown, called the deal a “significant milestone” that reduces litigation uncertainty. The company has previously settled PFAS‑related claims, including a $450 million agreement with New Jersey over natural‑resource contamination and a broader deal to pay more than $10 billion to U.S. public drinking‑water systems.
Other manufacturers, such as DuPont de Nemours, Chemours and Corteva, have also reached settlements totaling over $1 billion.
Legal and regulatory context
Environmental activists contend that PFAS manufacturers were aware of health risks long before they became public. The Environmental Protection Agency has set strict limits for PFAS in public drinking water, though those rules do not cover private wells.
A federal study intended to help regulators identify industrial sources of PFAS discharge has been delayed for two years, awaiting review by the White House Office of Management and Budget.
What plaintiffs say
Fred Thompson, an attorney with Motley Rice who helped negotiate the settlement, described the outcome as “welcome news” for the thousands of victims seeking answers and accountability after nearly a decade of litigation. He noted that many claimants still need assistance covering mounting medical expenses.
If insufficient claimants join the settlement, 3M retains the option to cancel the agreement and continue defending the lawsuits.
Original reporting: News Talk 1340 KROC-AM – News and Talk – Rochester News Radio — read the source article.
