2024-01-08 03:30:50
Because PFAS is resistant to heat and chemicals, it has been used in frying pan coatings, fast food wrappers, and foam fire extinguishers. However, PFAS is also called a permanent chemical because it remains in the environment for a long period of time, and there are concerns that it may have adverse effects on health. It is said that 3M, a chemical product company, has known about the dangers PFAS pose to the environment and the human body since the 1950s, but has hidden it for decades.
According to reports, 3M scientists have known since the 1950s that chemicals, including PFAS, are accumulating in the bodies of humans and animals. In addition, despite confirming that PFAS does not decompose in the environment, that PFAS is spreading in the blood of Americans, and that the risk of cancer is increasing, in 1979, 3M was instructed to hide the presence of PFAS found in human blood. Moreover, 3M instructed its researchers not to leave notes or discuss their thoughts on PFAS via email for fear of how they would be judged at trial.
In 1975, researchers at the University of Rochester discovered PFAS in human blood samples from Texas and New York and reported it to 3M. At the time, Teflon-processed cooking utensils and Scotchguard were pointed out as sources of occurrence. However, 3M scientists did not acknowledge this point. Complaining that they did not know about this problem, Scotch Guard claimed that it was made of polymer materials without using hazardous substances.
Moreover, 3M conducted blood tests upon request in 1976. As a result of the test, PFAS was confirmed to be 1,000 times higher than normal in the blood of employees at some 3M factories. Although 3M had a legal obligation to report this incident to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it kept it confidential for a long time.
Later, when PFAS were found to be more toxic than previously expected, discussions took place within 3M about whether to report this to the appropriate government agency. However, it was reported to government agencies, saying there was no evidence of adverse effects. In 1998, 3M scientists studied whether PFAS released by 3M were contained in the blood of wild birds. As a result, it was confirmed that PFAS was introduced into various wild birds, and since many wild birds eat fish, it was recognized that PFAS may have moved to various animals in the food supply chain.
Since the blood of wild birds contains PFAS, there is a possibility that PFAS may be ingested by other fish-eating mammals such as otters and seals. At the same time, 3M pointed out to 3M the possibility that PFAS may also be ingested by humans, and stated that they had a reporting obligation to the EPA. revealed.
However, according to the scientist, 3M did not respond immediately and disbanded the team. The scientist, who retired from 3M in 1999, submitted a complaint to the EPA alleging that chemicals were found in animal blood, and an EPA investigation into 3M was subsequently launched. Regarding 3M’s disregard of PFAS risks and criticism so far, he criticized that it was quite unethical to focus on the impact on the market, the possibility of legal action, and the loss of image rather than environmental safety.
As for 3M, the EPA has conducted an investigation since 2000 and knowledge about PFAS has spread. As a result, a large-scale trial was held against 3M, and in June 2023, an agreement was reached between the plaintiff and 3M to pay up to $12.5 billion in settlement over 13 years. Related information: this placeYou can check it here.
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