A former 3M scientist alleges the company concealed evidence of PFAS contamination and its risks in Minnesota despite early warnings.
Erin Hassanzadeh reports for CBS News.
In short:
- Kris Hansen, a former 3M scientist, discovered PFOS, a type of PFAS, in blood samples in 1997 and was alarmed by its widespread presence.
- Hansen claims 3M executives knew PFAS were harmful as early as the 1970s but failed to act, with internal data suppressed for years.
- 3M denies wrongdoing and highlights its decision to cease PFAS production by the end of 2025.
Key quote:
“It made me understand that there had been some amount of coverup in the company. And I think it's one thing to lose track of a chemical. Unforgivable. But it's another thing to intentionally cover it up.”
— Kris Hansen, former 3M scientist.
Why this matters:
PFAS chemicals, dubbed “forever chemicals,” persist in the environment and accumulate in human bodies, posing serious health risks. Allegations of corporate concealment could delay accountability and clean-up efforts critical to public health.
Read more: The Daily Show: 3M concealed the dangers of forever chemicals for decades
