3M Pays $7.35 Billion to Resolve PFAS Groundwater Claims

Chemical manufacturer 3M has agreed to pay a maximum of $7.35 billion to settle lawsuits filed by individuals claiming health issues resulted from groundwater contaminated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The St. Paul, Minnesota-based company announced the agreement on Tuesday. The funds will be distributed to as many as 120,000 claimants over a nine-year period.

The litigation centers on PFAS, a class of compounds often referred to as forever chemicals because they do not break down naturally in the environment. These substances were widely used in firefighting foam and in consumer goods such as nonstick cookware and water-resistant clothing. Contamination was found in groundwater near military bases, airports, and other sites where the foam was deployed. Health risks associated with exposure include liver damage, immune system dysfunction, and certain cancers.

3M did not admit liability under the settlement terms. William Brown, the company’s chairman, described the deal as a milestone that reduces uncertainty for the firm. The company has previously settled other PFAS-related disputes, including a $450 million agreement with New Jersey regarding natural resource contamination and a pact to pay more than $10 billion to public drinking water systems across the United States.

Other manufacturers have also resolved claims. DuPont de Nemours Inc., along with its spinoff companies Chemours Co. and Corteva Inc., have agreed to settlements totaling more than $1 billion. Fred Thompson, an attorney at the Motley Rice law firm, stated that the settlement provides welcome news for thousands of victims who have sought accountability for nearly a decade. Thompson noted in a release that plaintiffs require urgent assistance with increasing medical costs.

The payment schedule begins with $50 million in the current year. Subsequent annual payments will exceed $1 billion each from 2028 through 2033. If a sufficient number of plaintiffs participate, 3M may be required to make additional payments. Conversely, if too few individuals sign on, the company retains the right to cancel the settlement and continue litigation.

Environmental activists maintain that manufacturers were aware of the health risks long before public disclosure. They point out that the same chemical properties that make PFAS useful for resistance to breakdown also render them hazardous. The Environmental Protection Agency has established strict limits on PFAS in public drinking water and mandates testing, but these regulations do not apply to private wells. A federal study designed to identify which industries discharge these chemicals in wastewater has been stalled for two years while awaiting review by the White House Office of Management and Budget.