Chemical company 3M has agreed to pay as much as $7.35 billion to settle lawsuits brought by people who say they were made ill by groundwater pollution linked to compounds used in firefighting foam and other consumer products.
The St. Paul, Minnesota-based firm said the settlement will be paid out over nine years and could cover up to 120,000 people who allege harm from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. These chemicals were found in groundwater near military bases, airports and other sites where the foam was used to put out fires.
Under the deal, 3M did not admit any responsibility for the contamination.
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