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3M reaches $10.3 billion settlement over contamination of water systems with PFAS 'forever chemicals' (apnews.com)

submitted 1 year ago by DarkGamer@kbin.social to c/news@kbin.social

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Chemical manufacturer 3M has agreed to pay at least $10.3 billion to settle lawsuits over contamination of many U.S. public drinking water systems with potentially harmful compounds known as PFAS. The deal was announced Thursday by the company based in St. Paul, Minnesota, and an attorney representing hundreds of public water systems. 3M is a leading maker of PFAS chemicals used widely in firefighting foams and many nonstick and grease-resistant consumer products. They're described as “forever chemicals” because they don’t degrade naturally in the environment. PFAS compounds been linked to a variety of health problems, including liver and immune-system damage and some cancers.

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[–] Lenguador@kbin.social 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

In the last 12 months, 3M's profits were $14.4B (source), so this fine represents 8.5 months of profits.

How large should the fine have been?

[–] GizmoLion@kbin.social 8 points 1 year ago

Hmm, for as long as we're drinking PFAS-tainted water sounds fair.

[–] Ronno@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago

Profit doesn't say much though. Take for example Amazon, one of the largest companies, but they don't make that much profit on paper. It's all accounting. But like someone else mentioned, they are tainting our water supply and ruining the climate. Why would we pay the price for that (in money or in health)? I live close to a river in which I don't dare to swim anymore, due to these companies (not only 3M). The guideline by the local authorities is: sure it is safe to swim there, as long as you don't (accidentally) drink the water.

You want to know the real kicker? 3M requested a new permit to dump in the river, and they might just get.

In the end it is simple, you create a product, you have waste. The company is responsible to process the waste in an environmental conscience way. Dumping it in a river is not environmental conscience. I don't care if they put it in storage bins and store it under ground like with nuclear, as long is that shit doesn't make it into nature and especially our water supply.