US multinational3Magreed today to pay 571 million euros (RM2.5 billion) to resolve years of toxic emissions from its Zwijndrecht factory near the Belgian port city of Antwerp.
In a joint statement, 3Mand the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders announced an out-of-court settlement, saying it settled "a dispute" related to the production of widely used perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the plant. continued disagreement."
PFAS are known as "permanent" chemicals that hardly degrade in the environment or in the body.3Mhas long denied it was responsible for the high levels detected near its factories.
"It's no secret that Flanders is counting on this ... to send a clear signal to the people of Flanders and show respect," said Zuhal Demir, the environment minister for Belgium's Flanders region.
She added: "Thanks to this agreement, we will be able to get work done in the best interests of the people of Zwijndrecht, our local farmers and our overall prosperity and well-being."
In the transaction, 3M will invest 571 million euros to benefit the local community and Flanders.
John Banovetz, 3M's executive vice president for environmental responsibility and chief technology officer, praised the company "and the people of Flanders" as a "big step forward".
"It also reflects 3M Belgium's ongoing stewardship journey as a responsible manufacturer and our willingness to work with the communities where we live and work to chart a positive path for the future," he added.
PFAS are a family of synthetic chemicals that can withstand high temperatures and repel water and grease.
They can be found in cars, airplanes, clothing, leather, household products, electronics, food processing, and medical supplies.
However, when they seep into groundwater, surface water and soil, PFAS pose toxic health risks and can persist for a long time.
Some PFAS can impair fetal development, cause cancer, and are suspected of disrupting the body's endocrine system, which processes the body's hormones.
A study released by Flemish health authorities in October found that 59 percent of adults and adolescents living within 3 kilometers of a 3M plant had high levels of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in their blood. species of PFAS.
They risked cholesterol problems, diabetes and infertility, the researchers found.
The European Union has been restricting PFOS for over a decade, and since 2009 it has been included in the international Stockholm Convention to completely eliminate its use.
The 3M factory in Belgium was already within sight of authorities after an earlier study, which showed high levels of soil contamination nearby, was filmed during work on a loop extension around Antwerp.
