"3M Co. will determine the health risks of Alabama’s current and potential future PFAS contamination in a new agreement the company has reached with the state, which could influence the EPA’s regulations for the chemicals.

As part of the agreement announced Friday, 3M will assess contamination of so-called forever chemicals in two Alabama counties and any additional contaminated sites identified in the future.

The company also will control emissions of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, into water and air, and determine the chemicals’ health risks and impact on the environment. It’s not clear how much the company will spend to do so.

“As we move forward with the actions, we will account for them in our operating plan. At this time, we won’t speculate regarding these costs,” 3M spokesman Sean Lynch said, adding that the company is “fully committed” to fulfilling its obligations under the agreement."

Sylvia Carignan reports for Bloomberg Environment July 24, 2020. [2]