Wednesday Attorney General Kwame Raoul filed a lawsuit over how the plant uses so-called "forever chemicals," per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS.
Filed in Rock Island County Circuit Court, the suit alleges 3M’s negligent operations have resulted in significant levels of PFAS contamination at and around the plant, which is located on the banks of the Mississippi River.
Attorney General Raoul also claims “For decades, 3M has been aware of the dangers of PFAS, or ‘forever chemicals.’ And even promoted these toxic chemicals as being safe to manufacture.
At Cordova, 3M makes chemical products including adhesives, resins, fluorochemicals and other specialty chemicals.
The suit also says sampling conducted by 3M, and the U.S. and Illinois EPA's, has confirmed the presence of contaminated groundwater under and around the facility, as well as in the Mississippi River.
A statement from the company says "3M acted responsibly in connection with its manufacturing operations and products containing PFAS and will vigorously defend its record of environmental stewardship."
