3M, DuPont PFAS Settlements Worth Over $11 Billion Called Inadequate by Cities and Other Objectors

U.S. cities, towns and water districts have challenged proposed class action settlements worth more than $11 billion with 3M MMM.N, DuPont de Nemours DD.N and others, arguing the deals are too generous to the chemical companies accused of contaminating U.S. water with toxic “forever chemicals.”

The objections were filed late Friday and Saturday in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, by 22 governments and agencies in New York, Texas, Colorado, California and elsewhere. They said the settlements will not fully cover cleanup and legal costs facing water providers after the companies allegedly polluted drinking water with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.

PFAS are used in a range of products from firefighting foam to non-stick cookware, and have been linked to cancer and hormonal dysfunction. The objections relate to a proposed deal between 3M and U.S. water providers for $10.3 billion and a separate $1.19 billion settlement agreed to by DuPont and spin-off companies Corteva CTVA.N and Chemours CC.N in June. Both settlements would end hundreds of lawsuits against the companies.

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