US PFAS litigation and regulatory developments

In early July 2026, the New York Attorney General filed a lawsuit against major manufacturers including 3M and DuPont, alleging that their production of per‑and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) caused widespread contamination and health harms.

By early August, New Jersey secured a multi‑billion‑dollar settlement with DuPont, Chemours, Corteva, and 3M. A federal judge approved the agreements, which total approximately $2.5 billion. Under the terms, DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva will pay $875 million over 25 years for natural‑resource damages, fund a $1.2 billion remediation program, and establish a $475 million reserve for the cleanup of four former industrial sites. 3M is expected to contribute between $400 million and $450 million toward drinking‑water contamination claims. Chief Judge Renee Marie Bumb described the settlements as “fair, reasonable and in the public interest.”

Concurrently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed several regulatory changes. One proposal seeks to extend the compliance deadline for public water systems to meet maximum contaminant levels for PFOA and PFOS from 2029 to 2031. Another proposal suggests rescinding regulatory determinations and individual limits for four other PFAS compounds, including GenX, citing prior procedural missteps. Additionally, the EPA is proposing new monitoring and reporting requirements for PFAS discharges at wastewater treatment plants.

These developments reflect an intensifying regulatory and legal landscape regarding the environmental and public health impacts of “forever chemicals.”