Chemical manufacturer 3M has entered into a settlement agreement with New Jersey to resolve claims accusing the company of contaminating water and other natural resources with PFAS substances, popularly known as “forever chemicals,” the state Attorney General’s office said in a May 13 statement.
The settlement, valued at up to $450 million and subject to court approval, is the “largest statewide PFAS settlement in New Jersey history,” said the statement. It resolves certain lawsuits filed by the state against the company in 2019.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are used in fabric, furniture, industrial products, and several household items. Known as “forever chemicals” because of their inability to degrade over time, these substances continue to accumulate in human beings and the environment….