DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva have agreed to pay $1.2B to settle a lawsuit regarding water contamination. This settlement is one of the largest of its kind in history, and will bring closure to a long-standing legal battle.

The lawsuit, which was filed by more than 3,500 plaintiffs from West Virginia and Ohio, alleged that the companies had contaminated the water supply with a group of chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These chemicals have been linked to a range of health problems, including cancer, thyroid disease, and developmental issues in children.

The companies had been accused of knowing about the dangers of these chemicals for decades but failing to take appropriate action to protect the environment and public health. The contamination had occurred at a plant in West Virginia that had been owned by DuPont, which subsequently spun off Chemours and Corteva.

Under the terms of the settlement, DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva will pay $1.2B to resolve the claims brought by the plaintiffs. The funds will be used to provide clean water to communities affected by the contamination, as well as to fund medical monitoring programs to help detect and treat any related health issues.

In a joint statement, the companies expressed their regret for the harm caused by the contamination and vowed to improve their environmental practices in the future. “We are committed to responsible stewardship of our products and enhancing the communities in which we operate,” the statement read.

While the settlement will provide some relief to the impacted communities, it is also a stark reminder of the significant environmental and health risks associated with PFAS chemicals. Advocates are calling for stronger regulation of these substances to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.