A federal judge has given tentative approval to a $54 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit involving Wolverine Worldwide and 3M Co. over Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl or PFAS, which are chemicals that contaminated drinking water in Michigan. The chemicals, which came from a tannery, were discovered five years ago. The tannery has been closed.
PFAS were used in industrial applications, but they do not break down easily and can migrate from the soil into the groundwater. PFAS were used to make Scotchgard, a 3M waterproofing product that Wolverine used.
“The settlement is fair, reasonable, adequate, and meets the standards for preliminary approval,” U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou said, setting a final hearing for March 29.
Wolverine released a statement that said it and 3M are pleased to have settled the class-action suit, adding, “this settlement represents another important step towards resolving this matter and doing the right thing for our community.”
