3M Agrees to New Jersey PFAS Water Contamination Settlement Worth up to $450 Million
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The state of New Jersey is set to receive up to $450 million in the coming decades over PFAS contamination. Chemical manufacturer 3M, which has been subject to numerous PFAS lawsuits nationwide, agreed to the sizable settlement to resolve claims that “forever chemicals” contaminated the environment.
The state of New Jersey sued 3M and other chemical companies in 2019, claiming that the manufacturer leaked PFAS into the surrounding air and water at the in-state Chambers Works facility. That site, which is currently owned by Chemours, has been used for chemical manufacturing for decades.
A trial over the Chambers Works site is scheduled to begin Monday. Due to the settlement agreement, 3M will no longer be part of that trial.
“For decades, 3M knew that their PFAS chemicals were forever contaminating the New Jersey environment,” New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said in a statement. “But they continued to pollute the environment and escape accountability. That ends now.”
PFAS Water Contamination Settlement Could Pay Out Hundreds of Millions
The settlement, which still needs to be approved by a judge, should pay out in multiple phases. Between 2026 and 2034, 3M will pay out somewhere between $275 million and $325 million. This will include nearly $17 million toward projects like drinking water treatment.
The remainder of the settlement will be paid out starting in 2030 and running through 2050 to resolve current and future claims across the state.
“This agreement is not an admission of liability,” 3M said in a statement. “If the agreement is not approved by the court or certain agreed terms are not fulfilled, 3M is prepared to continue to defend itself in litigation.”
This is the second time 3M has agreed to a statewide settlement over PFAS contamination. In 2018, the company agreed to an $850 million settlement to resolve similar claims in Minnesota.
PFAS Litigation Continues Across the Country
While the newly announced settlement could resolve litigation involving the state of New Jersey, 3M continues to face a bevy of lawsuits over PFAS contamination.
There are currently more than 9,000 active cases pending in federal court over claims that firefighting foam known as AFFF caused both contamination and serious health issues. 3M manufactured the firefighting foam, which is often used at airports and military bases, for decades.
A report by the Guardian earlier this year said that documents showed that 3M told customers its foam was safe and biodegradable while privately knowing that it contained toxic chemicals.
AFFF Lawsuits claim that exposure to PFAS chemicals in the foam has led to the development of conditions like testicular and liver cancer.
