DuPont and its affiliates resolve pollution charges related to PFAS contamination in New Jersey.
In a significant development, three major chemical companies - Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva - have agreed to a landmark $2 billion settlement in early August 2025 to address PFAS contamination in New Jersey. This settlement, which is the largest of its kind secured by an individual state so far, includes a payment of $875 million spread over 25 years, a $1.2 billion remediation fund for contaminated water and soil, and a $475 million reserve for bankruptcy contingencies.
The contamination in question is linked to major industrial sites like Pompton Lakes Works and Chambers Works. This settlement aims to resolve the contamination issue across the state of New Jersey, with the companies also required to dedicate up to a further $1.2 billion to create a fund for clean-up in affected areas.
New Jersey's Attorney General, Matthew Platkin, stated that it's important for states to protect residents from threats to their health and environment, and to hold polluters accountable. He emphasized that this settlement is a significant step towards achieving that goal.
Elsewhere in the United States, PFAS litigation is also active. Across the federal multidistrict group litigation, thousands of individual plaintiffs, including residents of states such as Ohio and New York, have filed claims involving PFAS-related health conditions. The federal judge overseeing the multidistrict litigation has issued a recent order mandating a 21-day filing window for unfiled cases, which closes on September 5, 2025. This move seeks to streamline the litigation and move toward collective settlements while postponing bellwether trials originally scheduled for October 2025.
Although there was no specific new settlement announced for Ohio or New York in August 2025, these states are deeply involved in the federal multidistrict litigation where ongoing settlement negotiations are confidential but actively progressing. New York has also implemented state-specific PFAS regulations, strengthening its position in litigation and regulatory oversight.
Beyond these major settlements and multidistrict litigations, various state and municipal PFAS lawsuits are pending. These include cases involving water contamination in Pennsylvania and regulatory updates advancing through courts and agencies like the EPA.
As of August 2025, PFAS litigation in the United States is moving towards major settlements, with New Jersey finalizing a historic $2 billion settlement, while federal multidistrict cases - potentially including Ohio and New York plaintiffs - are consolidating with strict filing deadlines to facilitate forthcoming settlements.
- The science of environmental-science is playing a crucial role in addressing climate-change issues, as evidenced by the ongoing PFAS contamination cases.
- The finance sector is closely monitoring the developments in the PFAS litigation, considering its potential impact on the industry, especially in states like New Jersey, Ohio, and New York.
- The settlements and litigations involving polymers such as PFAS have far-reaching implications for energy production, as contaminated water and soil can hinder energy resources.
- As states continue to protect their residents from environmental threats and hold polluters accountable, the emphasis on environmental-science will likely grow, driving advancements in science, finance, and industry.
