3M to pay $7B to settle claims over ‘forever chemicals’ in firefighting foam
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Chemical manufacturer 3M says it will pay more than $7 billion to settle thousands of claims from people who say they were sickened by firefighting foam containing so-called “forever chemicals.”
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of manufactured chemicals used in products to resist heat, stains, oil and water. They're extremely durable and known to persist in the environment. Some are linked to health effects including cancer, liver and thyroid problems and low birth weight.
Maplewood-based 3M manufactured firefighting foam containing PFAS, which was used to extinguish fires and for training at airports and military bases across the U.S. The chemicals contaminated groundwater used for drinking.
Thousands of plaintiffs allege they suffered health effects from exposure to PFAS. The combined lawsuits are being litigated in a federal district court in South Carolina.
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Under the agreement, 3M will pay $7.35 billion over nine years to settle the claims. The payments will begin with $50 million this year, followed by yearly payments from 2028 through 2034. The agreement includes a $680 million reserve to address future claims.
3M did not admit any liability for the contamination as part of the settlement.
3M said it expects the settlement will cover between 115,000 and 120,000 eligible plaintiffs. They include firefighters, military personnel and others who were exposed to PFAS through drinking water, firefighting operations or training.
Fred Thompson, an attorney with Motley Rice, one of the law firms representing the plaintiffs, said in a news release that the settlement is welcome news for “the thousands of victims who have sought answers and accountability for nearly a decade.” He said the plaintiffs need help to cover mounting medical bills.
The law firm said the plaintiffs group includes “multiple Minnesotans.”
In a news release, 3M Chairman and CEO William Brown called the settlement “a significant milestone” and said it substantially reduces uncertainty over litigation.
Three years ago, 3M reached a separate $10 billion settlement with U.S. drinking water providers over PFAS pollution.
3M says the injury claims relate mainly to PFAS compounds it phased out in the early 2000s. The company stopped manufacturing all PFAS at the end of last year.
