In a landmark environmental settlement, three of the country’s largest chemical companies—Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva—have agreed to pay New Jersey $875 million to resolve decades of pollution tied to toxic PFAS chemicals.
State officials say the agreement marks the largest environmental payout ever obtained by a single U.S. state. The funds will support the cleanup of contaminated sites and protect New Jersey’s drinking water from further damage caused by these so-called “forever chemicals.”
What Are PFAS?
PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals used in everyday products like nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, stain-resistant fabrics, cosmetics, and firefighting foam. Their resistance to heat, water, and oil makes them useful, but also incredibly persistent in the environment and human body.
These chemicals do not easily break down and have been linked to serious health problems, including liver damage, immune system disorders, developmental issues in children, and elevated risks of certain cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancer.
A Sweeping Deal for Cleanup and Accountability
The settlement holds Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva financially responsible for long-term PFAS contamination across New Jersey. As part of the deal:
- The companies must clean up four major contaminated sites.
- A remediation fund of up to $1.2 billion will be created.
- An additional $475 million reserve will be set aside in case any company fails to fulfill its obligations due to bankruptcy or financial default.
New Jersey has some of the highest PFAS levels in the nation, with pollution traced to industrial waste, spills, and factory runoff that seeped into water supplies and soil.
The agreement targets legacy pollution at four sites, including:
- Pompton Lakes Works (Passaic County), formerly a DuPont explosives manufacturing site.
- Chambers Works (Salem County), where DuPont produced refrigerants, dyes, and other chemicals.
“Corporate polluters who, for decades, have knowingly contaminated our land and water with PFAS and other dangerous chemicals,” are being brought to justice, said Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin.
Settlement Breakdown
The companies will split the $875 million as follows:
- Chemours: 50%
- DuPont: 36%
- Corteva: 14%
These firms have also signed national settlements involving billions in payments to public water systems impacted by PFAS pollution.
New Jersey Leads on PFAS Legal Action
This deal adds to a string of PFAS settlements New Jersey has secured in recent years:
- May 2025: Up to $450 million from 3M
- 2023: $393 million from Solvay
- Earlier: $33 million from Arkema Inc.
Looking Ahead
This $875 million settlement is a major step toward restoring contaminated lands and water systems in New Jersey. It also sends a powerful message to chemical manufacturers: the era of unchecked pollution and hidden health risks is over.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.