DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva have agreed to pay up to $2 billion to settle environmental claims with the state of New Jersey over contamination related to PFAS, a class of synthetic substances often referred to as “forever chemicals,” state officials and company representatives announced Monday.
The settlement, which is pending court approval, includes a $875 million payment over 25 years and the creation of a remediation fund of up to $1.2 billion to address pollution at four former industrial sites. According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, it is the largest environmental settlement in the state’s history.
PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of chemicals used in a variety of commercial products for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. They have been widely utilized in non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, and water-resistant clothing. However, PFAS compounds are slow to break down in the environment and have been found to accumulate in soil, water, and human tissue.
DuPont stated the agreement resolves “all pending environmental and other claims” related to historical PFAS discharges at the New Jersey sites.
The settlement follows a separate agreement earlier this year in which chemical manufacturer 3M agreed to pay $450 million to address PFAS-related claims in New Jersey.
New Jersey Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette emphasized the importance of holding companies accountable for pollution. “Polluters who place profit above public well-being by releasing PFAS and other contamination in our state can expect to be held responsible to clean up their mess and compensate the State and its citizens,” he said.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified two types of PFAS—PFOA and PFOS—as drinking water contaminants of concern, setting a limit of 4 parts per trillion due to potential health risks. Although these substances are no longer manufactured in the United States, they remain present in the environment due to their durability.
Critics of the chemical industry have long argued that companies producing PFAS were aware of the potential health and environmental impacts of the substances well before regulatory agencies intervened. Advocates for stricter controls have pointed to studies linking PFAS exposure to various health issues, including liver damage, immune system disruption, and certain cancers.