Remediation
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Some media reporting has referred to fluorochemistries as “forever chemicals” – however, many technologies in use today can remove these substances from water and other materials or manage them appropriately.
- Cap and contain systems can help reduce surface runoff from areas where fluorochemistries are found in soil. They can also prevent rain or other precipitation from transporting these materials in groundwater through soil.
- Granular activated carbon is frequently used to remove PFOA, PFOS, and other materials from water. This technology works similarly to water filters that many consumers use in their homes to capture substances in water so they can be removed and properly disposed of. These systems can also remove a wide variety of materials other than fluorochemistries to improve water quality.
- New technologies, like membranes that can efficiently filter out fluoromaterials from water, are continuously being researched and developed. 3M helps advance the science in this area by sharing our knowledge and through our own internal research.
Choosing the right technology to remove fluorochemistries from water can be complex.
Municipal or city water providers often have centralized treatment technologies for all homes connected to their system. Many of these systems use granular activated carbon or other proven technologies to remove fluorochemistries like PFOA or PFOS if levels are elevated. This means homeowners may not need any in-home treatment for drinking water.
Homeowners who use well water can reduce the levels of fluorochemistries where needed by working with a qualified water contractor to determine what system is right for their circumstances.
3M is Acting to Address PFAS
Like many parts of our lives, the way people approach management of chemicals has evolved significantly over time. For example, people have learned more about the importance of wearing a seat belt while driving, watching what we eat, and recycling plastics – all of which have helped us lead better lives. We do not approach chemical management today how we would have years ago.
The practices and technologies we use to manage fluorochemicals have evolved as we have learned more. 3M will take responsibility where we are responsible. We are enhancing our manufacturing technologies and facilities to reduce discharges and better manage these substances. We have also committed to remediating at sites where we manufactured and disposed of fluorochemistries, in part because we better understand the life cycle of these materials.
3M will exit PFAS manufacturing and work to discontinue the use of PFAS across our product portfolio by the end of 2025. Our remediation commitments and investments in technology will continue throughout this transition and beyond.
We want to work proactively and collaboratively with communities to help answer questions and address concerns.
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.
