Chemical manufacturer 3M agreed to an initial $4 million settlement with the city of Columbus over the production of PFAS, also known as forever chemicals.
In August 2023, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein’s office joined several other cities across the country in suing several manufacturers that produce synthetic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are commonly known as PFAS.
The companies named as defendants in the suit included 3M and DuPont, according to the complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for South Carolina.
Klein’s office said on Sept. 17 that the city has received $4 million in initial settlement payments from 3M. The chemical company agreed in June 2023 to a $10.3 billion settlement, which will be distributed to the plaintiff cities, according to court records.
According to the lawsuit, products manufactured by these companies, including common household items like Teflon and fire prevention materials, could contaminate groundwater sources that contribute to the city’s drinking water supply.
Forever chemicals can accumulate in the body and environment over time through consumption or contamination. Increased and prolonged exposure could cause health problems, the city attorney’s office said.
Klein’s office says the city has a fully staffed Water Quality Assurance Laboratory through Columbus Water and Power to monitor forever chemical levels.
“The City’s water currently meets or exceeds all drinking water standards,” Klein’s office said.
A portion of the settlement money “may be set aside” for improvements to technology and infrastructure upgrades that could be needed in the future to keep monitoring.
What is 3M and what does it make?
3M is a Fortune 500 manufacturing company based in Minnesota that produces everything from household items to medical equipment.
Some of the company’s products include Command Strips that can be used for hanging items on walls, Post-it notes and different forms of medical tape.
The company has said that it plans to “exit all of PFAS manufacturing” by the end of 2025, according to the company’s website. 3M said it is also evaluating how PFAS are used by manufacturers in the supply chain that may help produce items like lithium ion batteries.
Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@gannett.com or on Bluesky at @bethanybruner.dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 3M to pay Columbus $4 million in settlement over forever chemical contamination
Reporting by Bethany Bruner, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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