It's in Your Blood Now. Forever.
3M contaminates the world with forever chemicals.
For decades, the company 3M—known for making everyday items like Post-it Notes and Scotch tape—was also a major producer of chemicals called PFAS. These man-made compounds were used in everything from nonstick pans and waterproof clothing to firefighting foam and fast food wrappers. But these chemicals don’t break down in nature, and scientists now call them “forever chemicals” because they stay in the environment—and in the human body—for a very long time.
PFAS (short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been found in drinking water, soil, animals, and even the blood of people all over the world. Research shows that PFAS exposure has been linked to health problems such as cancer, liver damage, hormone disruption, and immune system issues. What’s alarming is that once these chemicals enter the body or the water supply, it’s almost impossible to get rid of them.
3M began making PFAS back in the 1940s. At the time, the dangers were not fully understood, but internal documents later revealed that the company knew about the risks by the 1970s. Yet they kept producing and dumping PFAS waste into rivers, landfills, and even directly into the ground. According to lawsuits and investigations, 3M avoided public attention while continuing to profit from PFAS for years.
In 2023, 3M agreed to pay over $10 billion to settle thousands of lawsuits for contaminating U.S. water systems with these chemicals. While that sounds like a big number, critics argue it’s only a small part of the damage done. Towns across the United States—and other countries—are still struggling to remove PFAS from their water. And the cleanup is costly and slow.
Scientists are now finding PFAS in places as remote as the Arctic and in wildlife such as polar bears and whales. Some experts say the widespread presence of these chemicals may be one of the most serious environmental problems we face today. Even though 3M says it plans to stop making PFAS by 2025, the legacy of these substances may last for centuries.
Many people are now asking: How did this happen for so long without more oversight? How many other companies are still polluting in ways the public doesn't yet know? And why did it take so many years—and so much damage—before anything was done?
The story of 3M and PFAS shows how a product once praised for convenience and innovation can turn into a global health concern when safety takes a back seat to profit.
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The Brutal Truth July 2025 Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976: Allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education, and research.
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