3M recently agreed to pay New Jersey $450M over PFAS contamination in the largest PFAS settlement in New Jersey’s history. In lieu of a trial, 3M, the manufacturing giant, has agreed to pay the state of New Jersey $450 million over pollution by polyfluoroalkl substances, also known as PFAS or “forever chemicals.”
PFAS are human-made chemical compounds that have historically been used to make firefighting foam, stain-resistant clothing, and food packaging. PFAS are do not break down in the environment or the human body. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, studies have shown that exposure to PFAS may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals, including metabolic disorders, decreased fertility in women, developmental delays, and increased cancer risk.
Through the settlement, 3M will pay up to $450 million over the next 25 years towards site cleanup, a statewide fund for PFAS contamination, and to address natural resource damages, with up to $275 million being paid in the first four years. Though historic for New Jersey, this is not 3M’s first PFAS settlement, as it previously agreed to pay Minnesota $850 million for contamination in drinking water and other natural resources and committed in 2023 to pay public water suppliers across the country up to $12.5 billion to address PFAS contamination.
Langsam Stevens Silver & Hollaender LLP’s environmental attorneys specialize in assisting clients—whether corporate, municipal, or individual—in managing and resolving their environmental liabilities. As PFAS become increasingly subject to regulatory enforcement actions and litigation, our team is tracking developments across the country to help clients analyze their potential clean up exposure and liabilities.
Click here to learn more about 3M’s PFAS settlement.