Eternal pollutants: 3M will pay $7.35 billion in damages

On November 3, 3M agreed to pay $7.35 billion for bodily harm claims related to PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam. This settlement addresses about 99% of claims from over 100,000 plaintiffs in South Carolina. 3M's CEO stated this is a significant step for the company, reducing litigation uncertainty. Previously, a court approved a $12.5 billion settlement for water utility remediation. 3M, which plans to cease PFAS production by 2025, emphasized that this agreement does not imply liability and is prepared to defend itself if terms are violated. The company faces lawsuits globally for PFAS pollution, including actions in Australia and Belgium.