Al Jazeera report examines 3M’s role in PFAS pollution
The report says the US company mass-manufactured persistent chemicals and allowed pollution around its facilities for decades despite awareness of harmful effects.
An Al Jazeera report published on 24 September examines 3M’s role in producing PFAS and pollution around its facilities in the United States. It says the company was the first to mass-manufacture the chemicals.
The report says 3M allowed PFAS to pollute the environment around its facilities for decades, despite being aware of harmful effects.
PFAS are persistent chemicals that resist heat, cold, oil and water. They do not biodegrade in the environment, and some are toxic.
The chemicals have been used in products including cookware, cosmetics, pizza boxes and pesticides. The supplied material does not identify specific compounds or facilities, quantify pollution, detail health effects or include a response from 3M.
