In a landmark environmental ruling, chemical titans DuPont and Chemours have been ordered to pay a staggering £1.1 billion to resolve claims of polluting New Jersey's water supply with hazardous PFAS compounds – known as 'forever chemicals'.
The Toxic Legacy
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) secured this historic settlement after proving the companies knowingly discharged per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from their Chambers Works plant in Deepwater for decades.
These persistent chemicals, which don't break down naturally, have been linked to:
- Increased cancer risks
- Liver damage
- Developmental issues in children
- Compromised immune systems
What This Means for New Jersey
The settlement funds will be used for:
- Comprehensive water treatment system upgrades
- Environmental remediation projects
- Long-term health monitoring programs
- Continued PFAS research
This case sets a powerful precedent for holding corporations accountable for environmental damage, with New Jersey leading the charge against chemical pollution.
