A U.S. company discharged carcinogens into tap water—this firm agreed to pay $10 billion in compensation | In-depth report by 36Kr

Facing a flood of environmental pollution lawsuits, global chemical giant 3M has finally responded. On June 22 local time, 3M announced it had agreed to pay a settlement ranging from a minimum of $10.5 billion to a maximum of $12.5 billion to resolve hundreds of water contamination claims related to 'forever chemicals' (PFAS). PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—a broad class of synthetic chemicals dubbed 'forever chemicals' because they resist natural degradation in the environment. In recent years, PFAS have been detected at hazardous concentrations in drinking water, soil, and food across the United States—and have been linked to human health issues including liver damage, weakened immune systems, and certain cancers. Under the agreement, 3M will fund testing and treatment of PFAS contamination in U.S. public water systems over the next 13 years. Although 3M has reached this settlement, it does not admit liability for the pollution. The company stated that if the agreement is not approved by the court or certain conditions remain unfulfilled, it stands ready to defend itself in litigation. In fact, 3M is not alone: other globally renowned chemical companies—including DuPont—also face similar pollution allegations. Because 3M pioneered the development of PFAS chemicals as early as the late 1940s and continuously expanded their applications, it now finds itself at the epicenter of this public controversy. In response to the litigation crisis, 3M announced last December its plan to exit PFAS production and aims to eliminate PFAS from its entire product portfolio by the end of 2025. Today, preventing PFAS contamination has become a global issue—and major chemical corporations are undergoing massive strategic shifts. Yet for the irreversible harms caused by PFAS, solutions beyond monetary compensation remain unclear. PFAS: Once Created, They Last Forever The public is already well acquainted with plastic-related 'white pollution', yet the dangers posed by certain specific chemicals have yet to attract sufficient attention. In reality, the impact of such substances extends far beyond imagination—and PFAS is one prominent example. PFAS comprises a vast family of chemical compounds, with over 5,000 commonly used variants. Thanks to their water-repellent, oil-repellent, low-friction, and high-heat-stability properties, they are widely employed across industrial manufacturing—and today permeate everyday life. Tracing their origins, PFAS emerged during the U.S. Manhattan Project in World War II: a chemist passed toxic yellow fluorine gas through a carbon arc, creating an almost indestructible carbon–fluorine bond (C–F bond)—the foundational structure of PFAS. Shortly thereafter, multinational corporation 3M acquired the chemist’s patent and rapidly extended PFAS applications—from defense to petrochemicals, electronics, construction, and other civilian sectors. Since the 1940s and 1950s, PFAS have been broadly used in numerous consumer products, including fire-fighting foams, non-stick cookware, cleaning sprays, waterproof sportswear, stain-resistant carpets, cosmetics—and even fast-food packaging. Like two sides of the same coin, PFAS’s unique chemical properties deliver immense commercial value on one hand—but also plunge them into a 'toxic abyss' on the other.

Is the coating on non-stick pans (Teflon) toxic?

China Food Network recently reported: It’s time to replace your household non-stick cookware—this substance is now being regulated in multiple countries. The substance referenced in the report is PFAS—commonly known as Teflon. PFAS are also called 'forever chemicals': not only are they carcinogenic and teratogenic, but they are frequently found on the surface of non-stick pan coatings. Once ingested by humans, they persist in the body for life. PFAS originated in the U.S. Manhattan Project during World War II. A chemist created an almost indestructible carbon–fluorine bond (C–F bond) by passing toxic yellow fluorine gas through a carbon arc—thus giving rise to PFAS. Later, this patented technology was acquired by U.S.-based 3M Company and swiftly applied across petrochemicals, electronics, construction, and other civilian sectors. Currently, PFAS—the so-called 'toxic substance' manufactured by 3M—has been confirmed to exist in the blood of all living organisms on Earth, including 99% of humans. Facing a deluge of environmental pollution lawsuits, 3M finally responded this past June.

3M Files $7.3B Deal with SC Court to Settle 'Forever Chemicals' Cases

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3M Co. agreed to a $7.35 billion settlement over nine years to resolve most personal-injury lawsuits linked to toxic 'forever chemicals' in firefighting foam. The deal covers up to 120,000 claims without admitting liability within national litigation.

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