Michigan files suit against 3M, DuPont and others over PFAS contamination

January 14, 2020

Read the full article by Steve Carmody (Michigan Radio)

“The state of Michigan is suing 17 defendants seeking damages for widespread PFAS contamination. The defendants include industrial giants 3M and DuPont. 

The lawsuit was filed in Washtenaw County Circuit Court on Tuesday…

The lawsuit claims the defendants withheld scientific evidence, and intentionally, knowingly and recklessly sold, distributed, released, transported, supplied, arranged for disposal or treatment, and handled and used PFAS and PFAS-containing materials in Michigan in a way that they knew would contaminate natural resources and expose Michigan residents to harm.

Attorney General Dana Nessel says the companies knowingly concealed the dangers of products containing PFAS…

The lawsuit was filed against:

  • Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Co. – a/k/a 3M;
  • DuPont, including its historic corporate self/identity/entity, as well as its post-merger-and-spinoff self – DuPont de Nemours Inc., a/k/a “New DuPont;”
  • The Chemours Co., a spinoff of DuPont, and its subsidiary (The Chemours Co. FC LLX);
  • Corteva Inc., another DuPont spinoff which was part of Defendant Dow DuPont;
  • Dyneon LLC;
  • Archroma entities;
  • Arkema entities;
  • AGC Chemicals Americas Inc.;
  • Daikin Industries entities;
  • Solvay Specialty Polymers, USA LLC;
  • Asahi Kasei Plastics North America Inc…

Attorney General Dana Nessel would not put a price tag on the cost of cleaning up 74 sites in Michigan that are contaminated with PFAS.

But in 2018, 3M agreed to pay the state of Minnesota $850 million to settle its PFAS claims. 

Michigan is hardly alone in seeking financial damages for PFAS contamination. New York and New Jersey are among the other states taking the companies that manufactured and used PFAS to court.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says the state needs to go after the companies responsible for the PFAS problem.   

‘Companies that are responsible for these contaminants must be held accountable,” says Whitmer. ‘Polluters must pay.'”

This content provided by the PFAS Project.