Johnson Controls' Tyco Fire Products agrees to $750 million settlement over PFAS contamination

Johnson lawsuit: Johnson Controls, through its subsidiary Tyco Fire Products, announced a $750 million settlement on Friday with several US public water systems. settlement resolves claims that toxic "forever chemicals" in firefighting foam manufactured by company h contaminated ir water supplies.

settlement, subject to approval by a federal judge, aims to assist cities, towns, and or public water systems in remediating contamination of per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS). Johnson Controls clarified in a regulatory filing that settlement does not imply any mission of liability or wrongdoing by Tyco, and company h alrey recorded a charge for this amount in second quarter ended March 31.

Paul Napoli, an attorney for water systems, stated, "This settlement resolves claims involving contaminated drinking water and provides compensation critical to protecting our nation’s drinking water supplies and upgring our water treatment infrastructure to deal with this new emerging threat."

PFAS are a group of chemicals found in various consumer and commercial products, including firefighting foams, non-stick pans, and stain-resistant fabrics. se chemicals, known as "forever chemicals," are difficult to break down in nature or human body and have been linked to cancer and or diseases.

Tyco is one of nearly two dozen chemical companies facing lawsuits related to PFAS pollution. se lawsuits, centralised in a South Carolina federal court, focus on PFAS contamination of groundwater resulting from firefighting foams used at firehouses and airports across country.

In related news, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalised first federal regulations on PFAS in drinking water, setting stringent limits on amount of PFAS allowed in public water systems. se regulations could potentially facilitate water systems suing companies over PFAS contamination, although legal challenges are expected.

settlement with Tyco is part of a broer legal landscape where major chemical companies have faced substantial settlements with water systems over PFAS contamination. settlement with Tyco includes an initial payment of $250 million expected by May, with remaining $500 million to be paid six months after receiving preliminary approval from court.

(with Reuters inputs)