New Jersey reaches $2 billion settlement with DuPont, Chemours over PFAS contamination
TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey officials announced a landmark $2 billion environmental settlement with DuPont, Chemours, and other chemical companies to address widespread PFAS contamination from four industrial sites across the state, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette said Monday.
The agreement is the largest environmental settlement ever secured by a single state and resolves multiple lawsuits stemming from the discharge of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — also known as “forever chemicals” — along with other hazardous pollutants.
“This landmark settlement will advance New Jersey’s nation-leading PFAS abatement efforts, improve drinking water quality, and restore injured natural resources,” LaTourette said. “Polluters who place profit above public well-being… can expect to be held responsible.”
PFAS are synthetic chemicals linked to cancer and other health risks that do not naturally break down and accumulate in the environment and human bodies. Under the settlement, the companies will pay $875 million in damages and fund remediation efforts at four contaminated sites: Pompton Lakes Works (Passaic County), the Parlin site (Middlesex County), the Repauno site (Gloucester County), and Chambers Works (Salem County).
Another $1.2 billion will be used to ensure site cleanup, and a $475 million reserve fund will provide financial assurance in the event any party defaults on its obligations.
The state has already recovered approximately $3 billion in PFAS-related settlements since 2019. In May, 3M agreed to pay up to $450 million related to contamination at several sites. In 2023, Solvay Specialty Polymers agreed to a $393 million settlement, and Arkema Inc. settled for over $33 million.
“This is our third major PFAS victory in two years,” Platkin said. “When I became Attorney General in 2022, I pledged to fight corporate polluters… and I’m proud of this result.”
The U.S. District Court must approve the settlement following a public comment period. New Jersey continues to lead the nation in PFAS regulation and enforcement, including being the first state to set enforceable drinking water limits for certain PFAS.
For more information or to view the settlement once published, residents can visit the New Jersey Register.
