New York CNN –
The companies Chemours, DuPont and Corteva announced on Friday that they have agreed Pay more than $1 billion to settle claims that chemicals have “forever” polluted US public water systems.
The family of ubiquitous synthetic chemicals — per- and polyfluoroalkyls, also known as PFAS — linger in the environment and in the human body, where they can cause serious health problems and are found in everyday products like fast-food packaging, makeup, and carpets.
In June, the EPA issued health warnings based on the latest scientific evidence, saying the chemicals are far more dangerous to human health than scientists initially thought and were likely even more dangerous at levels estimated to be around a are many times lower than previously assumed.
The three chemical giants face thousands of lawsuits nationwide alleging that the toxic chemicals were used in manufacturing and then polluted the environment.
In a statement, Dupont said it “never made PFOA or PFOS.” CNN has asked the other companies for comment on the allegations, but they denied them in a press release on Friday.
The three companies said they agreed to pay a total of $1.185 billion into a settlement fund. Chemours will provide 50 percent (approximately $592 million), and DuPont and Corteva will together provide the remaining 50 percent, approximately $400 million and $193 million, respectively.
The water systems serve the “vast majority” of the U.S. population, the press release said.
So far, the three companies have reached an agreement in principle. A definitive agreement is expected to be finalized later this year in the US District Court for the District of South Carolina, the companies said.