“With these two actions,” the Minnesota-based company, which transacts sales of around $1.3 billion with the chemicals, said it is “committing to innovate toward a world less dependent upon PFAS.”

For some time, the compounds used among other things in non-stick coatings and known colloquially as “forever chemicals” for the length of time they take to break down have been accused of contaminating US waterways.

Michael Regan, US president Joe Biden’s EPA administrator, has declared protection against PFAS pollution to be one of his top priorities.

In August this year, the agency proposed classifying two of the most common substances, PFOA and PFOS, as hazardous. More recently, it said it would set enforceable drinking water limits on certain compounds.

Major fluorochemical producers, including 3M and Chemours, have pledged to phase out some of the most polluting products containing PFAS, which have been linked to infertility, developmental issues or delayed development in children, along with several types of cancer. However, other products were set to remain on the market.

Currently, 3M is facing a number of lawsuits from US states and individuals who claim that contamination from PFAS has harmed their health. According to Bloomberg Intelligence, long-term legal liabilities could cost the company $30 billion or more.

Erik Olson, a senior strategic director at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said in an interview with the newspaper Washington Post that 3M’s announcement “almost certainly stems in part from the massive liability the company is facing.”

“Virtually every American is walking around with PFAS in their bodies,” Olson said. “The handwriting is on the wall that continuing to make these chemicals is putting their shareholders and their company at risk.”

Author: Dede Williams, Freelance Journalist