Industrial giant 3M has struck a $7.35 billion deal to settle personal injury lawsuits stemming from its production of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the so-called “forever chemicals” widely used in firefighting foam. The agreement, announced this week, is poised to resolve the bulk of pending claims from individuals who allege exposure led to cancer, immune system damage, thyroid disorders, and fertility problems.
The settlement comes as 3M faced thousands of consolidated lawsuits in multidistrict litigation over the chemicals, which do not break down in the environment and have contaminated water and soil near military bases and other sites. According to the company, the payout will cover an estimated 115,000 to 120,000 plaintiffs and account for 99 percent of all personal injury claims tied to the foam.
This is not the first major PFAS payout for the Minnesota-based manufacturer. In 2023, 3M agreed to pay more than $10 billion to settle claims from public water systems that had to filter out the chemicals. The new settlement follows that earlier resolution and a separate agreement with the state of New Jersey.
In a written statement, 3M Chairman and CEO William Brown called the deal “a significant milestone for 3M and substantially reduces litigation uncertainty.” He added, “Following our 2023 resolution with U.S. public water suppliers and our more recent settlement with the State of New Jersey, this is another important step in managing legacy PFAS matters.”
Attorneys representing the plaintiffs, however, framed the settlement as a long-overdue measure of accountability. Fred Thompson and David Hoyle, lawyers with Motley Rice, said in a joint statement: “For the thousands of victims who have sought answers and accountability for nearly a decade, 3M’s $7.35 billion settlement is welcome news.” They called the outcome a “favorable result for victims who are in urgent need of support to cover the mounting medical bills and other costs frequently associated with toxic PFAS exposure.”
PFAS compounds have been used since the mid-20th century in a range of products, from nonstick cookware to waterproof clothing, but the military’s reliance on AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) for firefighting has been a primary source of environmental contamination. The chemicals are now ubiquitous in the blood of most Americans, and studies have linked them to a host of health problems, including kidney and testicular cancers, ulcerative colitis, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.
The settlement still requires court approval, and a claims process will be established to distribute funds to eligible plaintiffs. While the deal removes a major legal overhang for 3M, the company continues to face other PFAS-related litigation, including claims from states and municipalities not covered by the water system settlement.
The agreement also arrives amid broader scrutiny of chemical manufacturers and their role in environmental contamination. Lawmakers have pushed for stricter federal limits on PFAS in drinking water, and the Environmental Protection Agency has proposed enforceable standards for several compounds. As the legal landscape evolves, this settlement could set a precedent for how other companies, such as DuPont and Chemours, handle similar claims.
In the meantime, the victims’ advocates stress that the financial compensation, while substantial, cannot undo the health damage already done. “This is a step forward, but the fight for full accountability and safer alternatives continues,” said one consumer watchdog representative, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.
This story has been updated with additional context on PFAS litigation and regulatory efforts.
