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New Jersey says 3 chemical makers agree
to 'forever chemical' settlement worth up to $2 billion
[August 05, 2025]
By BRUCE SHIPKOWSKI
TRENTON,
N.J. (AP) — DuPont and two other companies will pay New Jersey up to $2
billion to settle environmental claims stemming from PFAS, commonly
referred to as “forever chemicals," the companies announced Monday.
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The DuPont logo is seen on a sign at the entrance to the company's
Spruance Plant on April 22, 2008, in Richmond, Va. (AP Photo/Steve
Helber, File) |
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State Environmental Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said the deal
with DuPont, Chemours and Corteva is the largest such settlement
in the state's history. It calls for the companies to pay $875
million over 25 years and create a remediation fund of up $1.2
billion. The companies will split the costs under the deal,
which must still be approved by the courts.
PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a
group of chemicals that have been around for decades and have
now spread into the nation’s air, water and soil. They are
commonly referred to as “forever chemicals.”
DuPont said the settlement will resolve “all pending
environmental and other claims” for ”legacy" contamination
claims at four sites where the companies operated in the state.
It comes just months after the state said chemical manufacturer
3M has agreed to pay up $450 million to resolve lawsuits over
natural resource contamination stemming from PFAS.
"Polluters who place profit above public well-being by releasing
poisonous PFAS and other contamination in our State can expect
to be held responsible to clean up their mess and fully
compensate the State and its citizens for the precious natural
resources they’ve damaged or destroyed," LaTourette said.
PFAS were manufactured by companies such as 3M, Chemours and
others because they were incredibly useful. They helped eggs
slide across non-stick frying pans, ensured that firefighting
foam suffocates flames and helped clothes withstand rain and
keep people dry.
The chemicals resist breaking down, though, meaning they linger
in the environment.
Environmental activists say PFAS makers knew about the health
harms of PFAS long before they were made public. The same
attributes that make the chemicals so valuable – resistance to
breakdown – make them hazardous to people.
PFAS accumulate in the body, which is why the Environmental
Protection Agency set their limits for drinking water at 4 parts
per trillion for two common types — PFOA and PFOS — that are
phased out of manufacturing but still are present in the
environment.
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