States Problem 3M’s Proposed $10.3B Settlement Over ‘Perpetually Chemical compounds’ Air pollution

THE WHAT? A coalition of twenty-two states and U.S. territories, together with California, Texas, and New York, oppose a proposed $10.3 billion settlement with 3M Co, stating it doesn’t adequately penalize the corporate for its position in water air pollution linked to “eternally chemical compounds.”

THE DETAILS? The group, spearheaded by California, lodged a movement to dam the settlement approval in a South Carolina federal court docket. The lawsuits towards 3M and others are centred across the contamination from per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), persistent chemical compounds used broadly in varied merchandise.

THE WHY? Regardless of the proposed settlement providing funds for testing and treating PFAS contamination over 13 years, the states argue it falls in need of redressing the harms attributable to the chemical compounds. PFAS, current in gadgets from non-stick cookware to cosmetics, have been related to cancers, hormonal dysfunction, and environmental harm.