3M knew firefighting foams containing PFAS were toxic, documents show
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Exclusive: Newly uncovered documents reveal chemicals giant was aware ‘environmentally neutral’ products did not biodegrade. The multibillion-dollar chemicals company 3M told customers its firefighting foams were harmless and biodegradable when it knew they contained toxic substances so persistent they are now known as “forever chemicals” and banned in many countries including the UK, newly uncovered documents show.
![[The 3M HQ: blocks of white buildings are seen across a snowy field against a blue sky. A tall sign shows the company logo in red lettering on white]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/f5663cd1b5e73c0283e6a24162e2d3f71feedd36/0_0_8256_4954/master/8256.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
From the 1960s until 2003, 3M made foams containing PFOS and PFOA (perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorooctanoic acid), synthetic chemicals that can take tens of thousands of years to degrade in the environment and have been linked to cancers and a range of other health problems such as thyroid disease, high cholesterol, hormonal problems and fertility issues.
![[Exterior and entrance of Angus Fire factory: a cream-painted two-storey building with a higher square block behind it stands behind a low wall with sign at the gateway]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/051906715dfbf2f6c64d66ce6a8b5c19bbbf555f/157_102_510_306/master/510.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Pollution from these substances in soils and water is now widespread across the globe, and has been detected in animals, human organs and blood. They are part of a wider family of more than 15,000 chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) but popularly called “forever chemicals”.
Experts have described PFAS pollution as “one of the greatest threats facing mankind”. Last year, 59 leading scientists signed an open letter to the UK government urging it to impose stricter regulations on the substances. Documents uncovered by Watershed Investigations and the Guardian reveal that evidence showing PFOS does not biodegrade had begun to appear as early as 1949. However, until the 1990s 3M continued to produce information and brochures for customers stating that natural processes would break down the foams.
