3M, other chemical companies sold repellents with PFAS, class action claims

3M class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: Plaintiffs Vicki Peterson and Paul Sadeghi filed a class action lawsuit against 3M Company, EIDP Inc. (formerly known as E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company) and The Chemours Company.
• Why: The defendants allegedly failed to disclose their stain and soil repellents contained dangerous forever chemicals, leading to virtually all carpets sold before 2020 to contain the hazardous chemicals.
• Where: The 3M class action lawsuit was filed in Minnesota federal court.

A new 3M class action lawsuit alleges chemical companies sold dirt and stain repellents made with “forever chemicals” to carpet manufacturers without disclosing the risks posed by the chemicals.

Plaintiffs Vicki Peterson and Paul Sadeghi filed the 355-page 3M class action lawsuit Aug. 30 in Minnesota federal court.

They allege the 3M repellents release toxic carpet dust containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are known as “forever chemicals” because they degrade extremely slowly over time and tend to accumulate in the human body and environment.

PFAS exposure may adversely affect human reproductive and immune systems. Exposure to forever chemicals has also been linked to thyroid hormone disruption and cancer, the 3M repellents class action says.

The plaintiffs claim 3M Company, EIDP Inc. (formerly known as E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company) and The Chemours Company intentionally manufactured and sold soil and stain repellents with PFAS to carpet companies without disclosing the dangers of the forever chemicals.

“The PFAS-laden dust in carpets has permanently damaged the buildings where carpet treated with PFAS has been installed, and the harm will continue unless those carpets are removed and replaced with non-PFAS carpet,” the 3M class action lawsuit says.

The plaintiffs allege the PFAS repellents were applied to virtually all carpets manufactured in the United States before 2020.

Defendants conspired to conceal PFAS in repellents, 3M class action says

The 3M class action alleges the defendants conspired to conceal their stain and soil repellents contained PFAS and failed to notify carpet manufacturers and retailers the products they used to treat carpets are extremely dangerous. 

Carpet manufacturers only recently discovered the 3M repellents they use to treat carpets are hazardous due to revelations from third parties like the Green Science Policy Institute, the plaintiffs claim.

The 3M class action lawsuit asserts 127 counts against the defendants including violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, nuisance, conspiracy and violation of various state consumer protection and products liability laws.

3M recently asked a Connecticut federal judge to pause a separate class action lawsuit alleging firefighters’ protective gear contained dangerous levels of PFAS.

What do you think about the allegations chemical manufacturers concealed the presence of forever chemicals in 3M repellents? Let us know in the comments.

Peterson and Sadeghi are represented by Rebecca A. Peterson of Lockridge Grindal Nauen PLLP, and Steve W. Berman, Craig R. Spiegel and Jeannie Evans of Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP.

The 3M repellents class action lawsuit is Vicki Peterson, et al. v. 3M Company, et al., Case No 0:24-cv-03497, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

• Walgreens class action alleges bandages contain harmful PFAS
• Costco seeks dismissal of PFAS baby wipes class action
• EPA issues emergency order against pesticides that can harm fetuses
• Kimberly-Clark seeks dismissal of PFAS water contamination lawsuit