DUNCAN, OKLAHOMA – The National Rural Water Association is proud to announce another settlement in the litigation against manufacturers of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate ("PFAS"). Coming just weeks after the announcement of settlements with DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva, an agreement has been reached with 3M to pay $12.5 billion in damages for their role in PFAS manufacturing.
The settlement with 3M Company is subject to approval by Judge Richard M. Gergel, who was assigned in December 2018 to oversee the ongoing multi-district litigation (MDL) proceedings.
PFAS, also known as the "forever chemicals," are manmade, synthetic compounds that research has shown pose significant risks to the environment and human health. 3M was the only company to manufacture and sell aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) containing perfluorooctane sulfonic acid or "PFOS," a particularly insidious type of PFAS that studies have linked to an increased risk of cancer and other serious health conditions.