In a significant development for environmental justice, 3M has agreed to pay New Jersey up to $450 million to remediate harmful “forever chemicals” (PFAS) that contaminated the state's drinking water supplies stemming from its industrial operations.
3M to Remediate New Jersey’s Water Contamination with Historic Settlement
3M to Remediate New Jersey’s Water Contamination with Historic Settlement
New Jersey secures up to $450 million from 3M to address dangerous PFAS pollution in drinking water.
3M's Minnesota headquarters has reached a landmark settlement regarding toxic pollution in New Jersey’s groundwater, marking the state's largest clean-water settlement to date. The Massachusetts-based company will pay an estimated $450 million over 25 years due to contamination from PFAS at the Chambers Works facility in Deepwater, which had been in operation for decades. These chemicals are renowned for their persistence in the environment and human body, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.”
The contamination claims have been at the center of a lawsuit initiated by New Jersey in 2019, where 3M, DuPont, and additional PFAS producers faced allegations of damaging local water supplies. PFAS are widely used in everyday items, including nonstick pans and water-resistant apparel. Health studies have shown that exposure to these substances may lead to serious health issues, such as metabolic disorders and various cancers.
As part of this settlement, 3M is obligated to compensate New Jersey for damages incurred, as well as to finance both cleanup efforts and the treatment of drinking water sources. Meanwhile, DuPont and its chemical spinoff Chemours, which currently controls the Chambers Works site, were not part of the settlement and are expected to face further litigation. DuPont did not provide a comment regarding the proceedings.
This settlement represents a critical step towards addressing the pervasive and hazardous contamination from PFAS, emphasizing the importance of holding corporations accountable for environmental damages impacting community health.
The contamination claims have been at the center of a lawsuit initiated by New Jersey in 2019, where 3M, DuPont, and additional PFAS producers faced allegations of damaging local water supplies. PFAS are widely used in everyday items, including nonstick pans and water-resistant apparel. Health studies have shown that exposure to these substances may lead to serious health issues, such as metabolic disorders and various cancers.
As part of this settlement, 3M is obligated to compensate New Jersey for damages incurred, as well as to finance both cleanup efforts and the treatment of drinking water sources. Meanwhile, DuPont and its chemical spinoff Chemours, which currently controls the Chambers Works site, were not part of the settlement and are expected to face further litigation. DuPont did not provide a comment regarding the proceedings.
This settlement represents a critical step towards addressing the pervasive and hazardous contamination from PFAS, emphasizing the importance of holding corporations accountable for environmental damages impacting community health.
