One of the biggest manufacturers of PFAS, 3M, announced it will stop producing any chemicals in this toxic and persistent class of chemicals by the end of 2025, and will work to discontinue PFAS use across its product portfolio.

The company said its decision is based on regulatory trends on reducing or eliminating PFAS in the environment. PFAS, also known as a “forever chemical,” are a class of thousands of cancer-causing chemicals that are incredibly hard to break down and have serious health effects on people. Earthjustice and its partners have played a major role in pushing regulators to limit this toxic class of chemicals from entering the market and to adopt strict safeguards prohibiting PFAS in consumer products.

The following is a statement from Eve Gartner, Earthjustice managing attorney:

“We are pleased that 3M has finally come to see what communities around the U.S. have experienced first-hand: PFAS are simply too dangerous to make or use. We urge the rest of the fluorochemical industry to do the math and get out of the deadly PFAS business by 2025, as 3M has committed to do so. Liability for PFAS manufacturers and processors will be far greater than any short-term profits.”

For more information on PFAS regulations see Earthjustice’s online summary and tracker of EPA’s PFAS regulatory roadmap.