3M Agrees to $450 Million Settlement for Contaminating New Jersey Drinking Water

In a landmark decision, 3M has settled a lawsuit with New Jersey to pay up to $450 million over 25 years to address the contamination of drinking water with toxic "forever chemicals," commonly known as PFAS. The chemicals were produced at the Chambers Works facility in Deepwater, a site that operated under DuPont for many years. This settlement marks the largest clean-water agreement in New Jersey's history, stemming from a state lawsuit filed in 2019 that accused major PFAS manufacturers, including 3M, of polluting public water sources.

PFAS are commonly found in many household products, such as nonstick cookware and stain-resistant fabrics, but they have been linked to serious health risks, including cancer and reproductive issues. As part of the recent settlement, 3M will finance cleanup efforts and drinking water treatment for affected communities, although DuPont and Chemours, the current owner of the Chambers Works facility, are not included in this agreement and will face trial separately. The implications of this development emphasize the ongoing battle against environmental pollution and its human cost.