Legacy Chemistries and Aqueous Film Forming Foam
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There are thousands of unique fluorochemistries, and no two are exactly alike. Many of them are used in everyday applications to promote durability, water resistance, or other important qualities.
Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perflurooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) are two types of fluorochemistries that were formerly made and used in many products.
We announced in 2000 that we would phase out of manufacturing of PFOA and PFOS as a proactive measure and have done so worldwide. We are also working to remediate these substances at sites where we made or disposed of them. We continue to engage with communities to help address questions about our former manufacturing.
3M continuously invests in research and development to make new products that can better meet the world’s needs.
Today, many companies use different fluorochemistries to help make products we use every day.
In the 1960s, 3M helped the U.S. Navy to develop life-saving firefighting foams known as aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) that used fluorochemistries. This was an important and life-saving tool that helped combat dangerous fires, like those caused by jet fuel. After the USS Forrestal disaster, the U.S. military began requiring that all vessels carry AFFF to help protect service members aboard.
View 3M’s position on recent news relating to fluorochemistry regulation and stewardship.
3M welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with external stakeholders who share our goal of advancing the science of fluorochemistry.
