Report Claims 3M Knew for Decades of AFFF Environment Risks
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A new report claims 3M knew of its firefighting foam’s environmental and health impacts for years before taking action.
According to the Guardian, which uncovered decades-old documents, evidence had emerged as early as the 1940s that the chemicals in the company’s aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) were not biodegradable. But 3M repeatedly claimed in the following years that its foam could break down naturally. Datasheets as late as the 1990s stated that the foam could even be discharged directly into sewers.
Over time, 3M phased out its production of many harmful chemicals in AFFF. Currently, it no longer produces AFFF. However, these products’ environmental and health impact persists, and the chemicals are still being phased out nationwide.
Plaintiffs have filed thousands of AFFF lawsuits. They claim the foam polluted water and caused serious health issues. The substance is widespread and is often used by military bases, airports and firefighters.
Last year, 3M finalized a settlement worth more than $10 billion with several public water suppliers.
Warnings of AFFF Environmental Impacts Spanned Decades
The documents the Guardian reviewed paint a multi-decade picture of warnings and concerns. They revealed that AFFF, and the PFAS forever chemicals it is comprised of, are not biodegradable and would linger in the environment.
A 3M employee noted in a 1964 book chapter that fluorocarbons, which include the chemicals AFFF is made of, are not biodegradable. Additionally, a 3M document from the 1980s revealed that the chemicals may not biodegrade in water.
The Guardian reported that 3M continued telling customers its foam was biodegradable into the 1990s.
This isn’t the first time documents have suggested that 3M may have known for years about the health risks of its chemicals.
According to CBS News, in a 1976 test by 3M, seven of 10 rats exposed to fluorochemicals had died within two weeks of exposure. This was revealed in the documents released as part of a previous 3M settlement in 2018. Additionally, a consultant also told 3M executives in 1979 that they could have a “serious problem” if the chemicals had a long half-life.
Lawsuits Claim Exposure to PFAS Chemicals Caused Serious Health Issues
As of this month, over 7,000 active lawsuits are pending in multidistrict litigation. The plaintiffs claim that 3M and other producers of PFAS knew that these chemicals could pollute water and cause health problems but failed to warn of those risks.
Involved parties have agreed to numerous major settlements, including 3M’s $10 billion settlement in April. Other companies, such as Tyco Fire Products, received final approval to pay out a $750 million settlement in November. BASF Corporation is paying $316.5 million in a similar settlement.
These settlements have involved public water systems. However, individuals are also filing lawsuits over claims that they developed cancer or ulcerative colitis after exposure to the chemicals.
Exposure concerns regarding AFFF and forever chemicals continue today. In July, the U.S. Army and Environmental Protection Agency announced a joint sampling project to test water near army installations for the chemicals.
Editor Lindsay Donaldson contributed to this article.
