3m to pay New Jersey up to $ 450 million for drinking water contamination

3M should pay New Jersey up to $ 450 million in the next quarter of a century to settle complaints that he contaminated the state with “chemicals forever” harmful or PFA, affecting drinking water.

The Minnesota -based chemical giant manufactured PFAS, which have been used for decades at the Chambers Works Facility in Deepwater, NJ, a complex of almost 1,500 acres on the shores of the Delaware river. The site belonged to Dupont, a rival company.

It is the largest white water colony in the history of New Jersey, the state said. The New Jersey continued 3m, Dupont and other manufacturers of PFAS in 2019, saying that the installation had contaminated drinking water.

PFAs, or per- and polyfluoroalkyle substances, are used in a range of everyday products such as non-stick kitchen utensils, water-repellent clothing and stains resistant carpets. Exposure to chemicals has been linked to metabolic disorders, a decrease in fertility in women and development delays in children, as well as an increased risk of certain prostate, kidneys and testicles.

As part of the regulations announced Tuesday, 3M will pay New Jersey between $ 400 million to $ 25 to 25 years to pay damages, as well as cleaning and treatment of drinking water.

Dupont and its chemical chemicals, which now have the Works Chambers, were not part of the colony, said New Jersey. The other parties should proceed to the case in the case. Dupont refused to comment.