3M has agreed to pay New Jersey as much as $450 million over the next 25 years to settle claims related to pollution from “Forever Chemicals.”
State Attorney General Matthew Platkin and Environmental Protection Agency (DEP) Commissioner Shawn Latourette announced the deal on Tuesday, calling it “the largest statewide PFAS settlement in New Jersey’s history.”
PFAS stands for Per-fluoroalkyl Substances, a group of around 15,000 synthetic chemicals that persist in the human body and environment for extended periods. These compounds are linked to cancer and can be found in various household items, such as non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, cosmetics, and certain fire-fighting foams.
Latourette remarked, “The manufacturers of PFAS were aware of the dangers, yet they continued to produce these substances, releasing them into New Jersey’s environment without care.”
“This landmark settlement is a step toward holding polluters accountable for the hazardous PFAS contamination that has damaged water supplies and poses health risks,” he added.
New Jersey is one of the most affected areas for PFAS in the nation, also being where accidental discovery took place. In 1938, postdoctoral researcher Roy Plunkett mistakenly created the first type of PFAS, known as PTFE or Teflon, while seeking a safer refrigerant.
Plunkett conducted his experiments at Dupont Labs in Deepwater.
This settlement addresses 3M’s liability in lawsuits related to Chambers Works and the Perlinsite in Sayreville, as stated by the Attorney General’s Office.
On Tuesday, 3M confirmed it had historically supplied PFAS to DuPont at the site but stopped doing so in 2001.
The agreement also resolves the state’s claims against 3M regarding PFAS in fire-service foams, according to the announcement.
Moreover, the resolution precludes 3M from being implicated in an ongoing case related to DuPont, spinoff company Kemoul, and other defendants.
The Attorney General’s Office emphasized that this is one of the few statewide agreements 3M has made nationwide for PFAS liability.
However, 3M noted that the settlement does not imply acknowledgment of liability.
The statement added, “If the court does not approve the contract, or certain conditions aren’t met, we will continue to defend ourselves in the lawsuit.”
The trial also involves DuPont and Kemoul, who are currently scheduled to appear in court on May 19, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
“Polluters need to be held accountable for contaminating the state’s water supply,” Platkin stated.
“For decades, 3M was aware their PFAS chemicals were polluting New Jersey’s environment, but they continued without taking responsibility. That ends now,” he said.
In terms of the settlement, 3M will begin making payments between $275 million and $325 million from 2026 to 2034. Initially, the company will pay $43.45 million for environmental damages at the Chambers Works site, along with $16.55 million for related PFAS reduction projects like drinking water treatment.
Additionally, 3M will pay $40 million to cover legal costs and punitive damages linked to pollution reduction in other states.
From 2035 to 2050, an extra $125 million will be allocated for further damage and mitigation, although those payments may be adjusted if the local government successfully collects related claims.
The settlement releases 3M from liability associated with the selling, marketing, distribution, and manufacturing of PFAS in New Jersey. However, the company is still required to investigate and remedy PFAS contamination in previous New Jersey locations.
The Attorney General’s Office emphasized that this contract does not impact private PFAS lawsuits filed by residents against 3M.
In a 3M statement, the company highlighted the agreement as a vital step toward minimizing risks associated with these legacy issues, allowing them to concentrate on strategic priorities.
In 2000, the company announced a voluntary phase-out of two of its most notorious PFAS, PFOA and PFOS. Twenty-two years later, 3M committed to stopping all PFAS production by the end of 2025.
The statement affirmed they are on track to fulfill that commitment.
With this recent agreement, New Jersey has now secured a total of up to $840 million from 3M for pollution caused by Forever Chemicals.
Latourette underscored that the funds will contribute to the state’s broader PFAS reduction efforts, asserting, “New Jersey residents should not have to clean up after polluters.”
