Tyco Fire Products, a subsidiary of Johnson Controls, has reached a $10 million settlement with the state of Wisconsin to address water contamination caused by PFAS chemicals in Marinette. This settlement marks a significant step in resolving environmental issues that have affected the community for decades.

Background and Settlement Details

The lawsuit, initiated in 2022 by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, alleged that Tyco had been contaminating the area around its firefighting training center since the 1960s. PFAS, often called ‘forever chemicals’ due to their persistence in the environment, have been linked to health risks such as cancer and developmental delays in children.

Under the settlement terms, Tyco will contribute $10 million to a trust fund dedicated to PFAS cleanup efforts. Additionally, the company will continue to provide replacement wells and implement long-term remediation measures to ensure clean drinking water for affected residents.

Company and Government Responses

Democratic Governor Tony Evers described the settlement as a ‘historic and important milestone’ in the pursuit of clean water. Tyco, which has been part of the Marinette community for over 100 years, expressed satisfaction with the agreement, highlighting its ongoing efforts to address the contamination, including the provision of bottled water and water purification systems since 2017.

Despite the settlement, a second lawsuit against Tyco and other companies over PFAS contamination in Wisconsin remains active. The settlement will take effect pending approval by the judge overseeing the case.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.