3M has agreed to pay up to $7.35 billion to settle personal injury claims involving exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including claims brought by firefighters alleging that exposure to firefighting foam and turnout gear caused cancer and other serious illnesses. The agreement, announced November 3, 2026, is intended to resolve approximately 99% of the existing PFAS-related personal injury claims against 3M, involving an estimated 115,000 to 120,000 plaintiffs.

The settlement arises from multidistrict litigation pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, In re: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Products Liability Litigation. The litigation began in 2018 with claims involving PFAS contamination associated with aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), commonly used at airports, military installations, and fire training facilities. It subsequently expanded to include personal injury claims by firefighters and others alleging exposure to PFAS through firefighting foam, drinking water, and other sources.

Although the litigation is commonly referred to as the AFFF litigation, the settlement is not limited to injuries attributed to firefighting foam. The agreement covers qualifying personal injury claims against 3M involving PFAS exposure through drinking water or direct exposure, which can include exposure associated with firefighter turnout gear. The agreement does not resolve the broader litigation against other PFAS manufacturers or manufacturers of firefighter protective clothing, except to the extent particular defendants are protected by its release provisions.

The settlement recognizes six categories of qualifying illnesses: kidney cancer, testicular cancer, liver cancer, thyroid cancer, ulcerative colitis, and thyroid disease. Plaintiffs with qualifying conditions may participate in the settlement, subject to its eligibility requirements. In exchange, participating plaintiffs must release their PFAS-related claims against 3M and other protected parties, including claims involving illnesses beyond the six qualifying conditions.

Under the agreement, 3M will make payments over nine years, beginning with $50 million in 2026. Six annual payments of approximately $1.045 billion are scheduled from 2028 through 2033. Additional funds are designated for participation incentives and a reserve for remaining and future claims. The total commitment is $7.35 billion, with a present value of approximately $5.8 billion.

The agreement contains participation requirements that allow the parties to terminate the settlement if an insufficient number of eligible plaintiffs agree to participate. Federal District Court Judge Richard M. Gergel has also issued orders establishing requirements for plaintiffs who elect not to participate and wish to continue pursuing their claims against 3M. Those orders do not affect claims against other defendants.

The settlement is separate from 3M’s earlier multibillion-dollar agreement involving PFAS contamination of public drinking water systems. That agreement addressed claims by water suppliers for contamination and treatment costs, while the new settlement concerns individuals alleging personal injuries from PFAS exposure.

As part of the settlement, 3M has not admitted liability or any wrongdoing.

Here is the SEC filing on the Settlement.

Here is a press release issued by 3M.