3M to Pay New Jersey Up to $450M in PFAS Lawsuit Settlement
Birth Defects, Forever Chemicals, PFAs
In a major development in the national fight against chemical pollution, industrial giant 3M has agreed to pay the state of New Jersey up to $450 million to settle claims that it contaminated the state’s drinking water with harmful PFAS chemicals. The PFAS lawsuit settlement, which will be disbursed over the next 25 years, marks one of the largest environmental settlements in the state’s history and adds to mounting legal pressure facing manufactures of so-called “forever chemicals.”
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of synthetic chemicals used in a variety of consumer and industrial products. These compounds are known for their durability. They don’t break down in the human body or the environment. Growing evidence links these chemicals to serious health problems, including cancer, liver damage, and developmental issues in children.
The New Jersey settlement stems from claims that 3M, one of the largest PFAS manufacturers in the world, knowingly discharged these toxic substances into New Jersey’s water supply for decades. The funds will be used to clean up contaminated sites, improve water treatment infrastructure, and monitor public health. 3M did not admit liability in the settlement. However, internal documents and investigative reports suggest that 3M was aware of the dangers of PFAS for years and continued to manufacture and release them anyway.
In a related PFAS lawsuit, chemical manufacturers Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva have also agreed to a settlement, promising an additional $875 million in payouts to the state.
What Are PFAs and Why Was There a PFAs Lawsuit?
These forever chemicals have been used since the 1940s to make products that resist oil, heat, stains, and water. They can be found in industrial products (such as firefighting foam) and consumer products, including fast food wrappers, nonstick pans, waterproof and stain resistant fabrics and carpeting, and household cleaners. They may take 1,000 years or longer to break down.
Their durability comes at a high cost. Once PFAS enter the body, they accumulate over time and no method has been found to remove them or cause them to break down. Studies link PFAS to thyroid disease, lower immunity, infertility, cancer and birth defects, among other serious diseases. PFAS have been found in 90% of preschoolers, leading to concerns about long-term health effects. This is one of many reasons why people have filed PFAs lawsuits.
What Other PFAs Lawsuits Are There?
New Jersey is not the only state battling PFAS contamination. Across the country, communities are discovering that their water supplies — and their residents — are contaminated with these chemicals. And these revelations are leading to a growing legal storm against chemical manufacturers. PFAS lawyers have filed thousands of lawsuits, including one against Perdue in Maryland. And with nearly half the drinking water in the U.S. contaminated with these chemicals, manufacturers may be faced with even more suits in the coming years.
The Big Picture: Accountability and Clean-Up
The 3M settlement with New Jersey is a signal that companies may finally be held accountable for decades of environmental harm. But clean-up efforts are just beginning. Removing PFAS from water supplies is difficult and expensive.
How We Help Victims of Toxic Exposure
Our birth defect litigation attorneys understand the pain that families face when coping with life-altering birth defects caused by toxic exposure—and the frustration of knowing they could have been prevented. Our team has over 40 years of combined experience in birth defects litigation in cases involving semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, pesticides, and energy production. We have the resources and experience to fight on behalf of our clients against corporations that put them in danger. Contact us to see how we can help you and your family receive justice for birth defects.