science
Federal government reaches $450 million settlement with Chemours over water pollution
The Justice Department, Environmental Protection Agency and West Virginia announced a settlement requiring Chemours to pay an estimated $450 million for alleged illegal releases of PFAS chemicals at facilities in three states. The agreement includes a civil penalty, pollution controls and funding for clean drinking water.
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The Justice Department, Environmental Protection Agency and West Virginia announced Wednesday that Chemours would pay an estimated $450 million to resolve allegations of illegal chemical releases at its facilities in West Virginia, North Carolina and New Jersey.
The federal government alleged that Chemours released chemicals into waterways near the three facilities, impacting the drinking water of tens of thousands of people who live nearby. Under the agreement, Chemours will pay a $22.5 million civil penalty and establish a $90 million program to reduce its releases of PFAS.
The company will also install pollution controls for water and air in West Virginia at an estimated cost of $60 million and supply clean drinking water for communities in West Virginia and New Jersey at an estimated cost of $280 million.
A press release said the settlement would evaluate options and implement corresponding controls for pollution in North Carolina. Chemours will be allowed to continue making PFAS for critical commercial and military applications.
Company background Chemours spun off from chemical company DuPont a decade ago as lawsuits over DuPont's PFAS business began to accumulate. PFAS refers to a family of man-made chemicals used in nonstick and waterproof applications. Exposure to these substances has been linked to health issues including cancer, immune system problems and fertility issues.
