Consumer products giant 3M announced Tuesday that it will stop making and using a ubiquitous class of long-lasting, hazardous chemicals that can pose health risks to millions of Americans.
The Minnesota-based conglomerate, which makes widely used products including sticky notes, adhesive tape, and safety masks, pledged to “exit all manufacturing” and “work to discontinue the use” of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, across its products by the end of 2025, according to a news release. More commonly known as “forever chemicals,” the compounds do not break down naturally and have been found in the water supplies of communities across the country.
“With these two actions, 3M is committing to innovate toward a world less dependent upon PFAS,” the release said.
Tuesday’s announcement comes as 3M is facing an onslaught of lawsuits from states and individuals who are claiming contamination from PFAS harmed their health. Bloomberg Intelligence estimates long-term legal liabilities could wind up costing the company $30 billion or more. 3M’s current annual net sales of manufactured PFAS are approximately $1.3 billion, according to the company.
By Allyson Chiu and Brady Dennis
The Washington Post
December 20, 2022
Read More About 3M Decision To Stop
https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-solutions/2022/12/20/3m-forever-chemicals-pfas/
