3M Co., known for its wide range of brands and portfolio of over 60,000 products, has reached a settlement agreement to pay at least $10.3 billion to resolve lawsuits related to the presence of “forever chemicals” in public drinking water systems across the United States, as reported by the Associated Press.
The lawsuits against 3M accused the company of manufacturing firefighting foam and other products that contained potentially harmful chemical compounds, including per- and polyfluorinated substances, commonly known as PFAS.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), PFAS are synthetic substances used in the production of non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, stain-resistant fabrics, and cleaning products. These chemicals have also been detected in food wrappers and personal hygiene items such as shampoos and dental floss.