NPE/PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' Drinking Water Contamination Litigation
Case Overview
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), widely dubbed 'forever chemicals' because they persist indefinitely in the environment and human body, were manufactured and sold by 3M, DuPont, and related spin-offs for decades in products ranging from nonstick cookware to firefighting foams. Hundreds of municipalities and public water utilities discovered that their groundwater and drinking water sources had been contaminated by PFAS runoff, leading to a massive multidistrict litigation (MDL) consolidated in the District of South Carolina. The EPA set the first-ever enforceable federal maximum contaminant levels for PFAS in drinking water in April 2024, lending further urgency to the litigation.
In June 2023, 3M reached a landmark settlement of up to $12.5 billion — paid over 13 years — to resolve claims brought by public water systems, in one of the largest environmental settlements in U.S. history. Shortly thereafter, DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva agreed to a combined $1.185 billion settlement to resolve similar water-utility claims. Individual personal-injury cases alleging health harms from PFAS exposure, including kidney cancer, thyroid disease, and ulcerative colitis, remain actively litigated. Bellwether trials are scheduled to help gauge the value of personal-injury claims as the litigation continues to evolve.
Who May Qualify
Public water systems and utilities whose water supply tested positive for PFAS contamination may be eligible for compensation under the settled claims. Individual residents who consumed PFAS-contaminated water and were diagnosed with related illnesses (e.g., kidney cancer, thyroid disease, testicular cancer, ulcerative colitis) may also qualify to file personal-injury claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for the PFAS drinking water settlement?
Public water utilities that detected PFAS contamination in their water supply are the primary beneficiaries of the 3M and DuPont settlements. Individual residents who drank contaminated water and developed PFAS-linked health conditions may pursue separate personal-injury claims that are still being litigated.
How much is the 3M PFAS settlement worth?
3M agreed to pay up to $12.5 billion over 13 years to settle claims by public water systems across the United States. DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva separately agreed to pay a combined $1.185 billion. These are among the largest environmental settlements in U.S. history.
Can I sue for PFAS contamination in my tap water?
Individual consumers who were exposed to PFAS-contaminated drinking water and developed related illnesses such as kidney or testicular cancer, thyroid disease, or ulcerative colitis may be able to join ongoing personal-injury litigation. You should consult a mass tort attorney to evaluate your specific diagnosis and exposure history.
Related Cases
3M / Aearo Technologies Earplug PFAS Contamination Water Utility Lawsuit
Styrofoam / Polystyrene Food Container Environmental & Consumer Class Action