PFAS — The Immortal Molecules

Most people are already well aware of the hazards of white pollution. Yet another class of everyday chemical substances—whose dangers remain largely overlooked—poses serious threats to human health and the environment. Once synthesized, these chemicals cannot break down naturally, earning them the moniker “immortal molecules” from the American Chemical Society—though the acronym here is mistakenly given as PSAF instead of PFAS. These substances have been linked to cancer and weakened immune function. They are not only present in our homes but have also infiltrated nearly every corner of the natural world. Over several decades, they have affected regions across the globe—and the real-life story behind them inspired the critically acclaimed film *Dark Waters*, which holds an impressive rating of 8.6. In recent years, 3M has faced allegations for mass-producing and using a class of chemicals known as PFAS without adequately disclosing or mitigating their environmental and human health impacts. As a result, 3M agreed to pay $12.5 billion in settlements and pledged to phase out all PFAS-containing products from its portfolio by the end of 2025. So what exactly are PFAS—and why are their hazards so severe that they triggered such massive compensation? PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of synthetic organic compounds not found in nature. First developed in laboratories in the 1940s as a byproduct of the Manhattan Project—the U.S. effort to build the atomic bomb—PFAS were acquired by 3M, who recognized their unique properties: oil-repellency, water-repellency, and exceptional chemical stability—all at low production cost. Typical PFAS compounds include PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, and PFHxS. Structurally, PFAS molecules feature a hydrophilic functional group paired with a hydrophobic alkyl side chain containing fluorine atoms. The former imparts water- and oil-repellent properties; the latter—characterized by extremely strong carbon–fluorine (C–F) bonds—confers high thermal stability, chemical inertness, fire resistance, and environmental persistence. Fluorine, the most electronegative element, causes extreme polarization and exceptionally high bond energy in C–F bonds, granting PFAS-treated materials outstanding thermal and chemical stability. Consequently, PFAS have been widely applied in firefighting foams, food packaging, cosmetics, machinery manufacturing, and semiconductor production. Their excellent water- and oil-repellent properties also make them ideal for textiles, leather goods, detergents, kitchenware—and even non-stick cookware and grease-resistant paper. Thanks to these superior performance characteristics, PFAS entered widespread use as early as the last century. However, insufficient understanding and regulation at the time led to a series of tragic incidents. In 1975, DuPont—a major PFAS producer—discharged wastewater and sludge containing PFAS directly into local rivers. This caused the deaths of over 200 cattle in the area, triggered unusually high rates of cancer among nearby residents, and even resulted in a couple—responsible for treating the wastewater—giving birth to a severely deformed infant.

[Key PFAS Incident] Review of the 3M PFOS Leak in Belgium

2002: 3M ceased PFOS production at its Belgian facility and replaced it with what it claimed was a safer alternative compound. (Many scientists disputed this claim.) 3M continued investigating the extent of contamination. 2006: The company commissioned Arcadis NV, a consulting firm, which detected PFOS concentrations in groundwater as high as 82,800 micrograms per liter. A 655-page Arcadis report concluded that contaminants had spread via groundwater—and potentially through air—to adjacent nature reserves and nearby streams. 2008: Arcadis developed a groundwater remediation plan; however, the regional waste management authority deemed soil decontamination unnecessary. By 2015, the authority declared no further remediation required—a decision later proven to be a grave error. 2016: Lantis, the company responsible for the Ring project, conducted soil testing near the 3M plant. In one area, PFOS levels reached 1,232 micrograms per kilogram of dry soil. According to meeting minutes from a 2016 project session, Flanders had never enacted legislation restricting PFAS—but officials acknowledged that the Netherlands’ regulatory benchmark stood at just 8 micrograms per kilogram of dry soil. 2021 (July): Greenpeace activists scaled the 3M building to demand the company cover healthcare costs associated with its pollution. Greenpeace also launched a petition calling on 3M to bear all expenses related to its PFAS contamination—and urging the Flemish government to prioritize public and employee health. Local residents protested with contaminated eggs, holding signs reading, “We’re here for our great-great-great-great-great-grandchildren.” 2021 (September): 3M agreed to clean up PFAS contamination at its Antwerp-Zwijndrecht plant and surrounding areas—and announced it would accelerate research into phasing out PFAS production at its Zwijndrecht facility in Belgium. 2021 (November): Belgium’s Council of State ordered the suspension of all PFAS-related production processes at 3M. 3M appealed the ruling, but the Council of State rejected the appeal. 2022 (July): 3M announced it would pay €571 million (US$582 million) to the Flemish regional government and other local initiatives. 2022 (December 20): To avoid future litigation over health and environmental damages caused by its chemicals, 3M announced plans to fully exit its fluoropolymer, fluorinated fluid, and PFAS-based additive businesses—with a final deadline set for 2025. 2023 (May): A family living approximately one kilometer from the 3M plant filed suit against the company and received provisional compensation of €2,000. The court ruled the family suffered “excessive neighborhood nuisance,” partly because their blood PFAS levels were up to 100 times higher than the accepted safety threshold.

Birmingham Files Lawsuit Against 3M, DuPont Over PFAS in Firefighter Gear

Sep 25, 2026

Birmingham sued 3M, DuPont, and others for concealing PFAS risks in firefighter gear, seeking damages for cleanup and replacement costs. This follows similar multi-state legal challenges regarding PFAS contamination in protective equipment.

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