health
Chemours to pay $450 million in first federal settlement over PFAS "forever chemicals"
Updated on: June 24, 2026 / 2:52 PM EDT / MoneyWatch
TL;DR
- Chemours agrees to a $450 million settlement to resolve federal and state charges over PFAS production.
- This is the first federal enforcement settlement against a major PFAS manufacturer.
- The settlement includes a $22.5 million civil penalty and $90 million over 15 years for mitigation in New Jersey, North Carolina, and West Virginia.
- Chemours will also spend an estimated $280 million on controls and clean drinking water initiatives near its sites.
- Exposure to PFAS is linked to severe health issues, including cancer and organ damage.
- Critics, like North Carolina's Attorney General, argue the settlement is insufficient for cleaning up water contamination.
- The agreement allows Chemours to continue producing PFAS for commercial and military uses.