such as fishing piers, trails, and open space preservation. 3M recorded a pre-tax charge of $897 million, inclusive of legal fees and other related obligations, in the first quarter of 2018 associated with the resolution of this matter.
In June 2018, the State of New York, by its Attorney General, filed a lawsuit in Albany Country Supreme Court against 3M, Tyco Fire Products LP, Chemguard, Inc., Buckeye Fire Equipment Co., National Foam, Inc., and Kidde-Fenwal, Inc., seeking to recover the costs incurred in responding to the contamination caused by Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) manufactured by 3M and others; damages for injury to, destruction of, and loss of the State’s natural resources and related recreational series; and property damage. This case was removed to federal court and transferred to the MDL for AFFF cases.
In July 2018, the now former governor of Michigan requested that the now former Michigan Attorney General file a lawsuit against 3M and others related to PFAS in a public letter. In May 2019, the new Michigan Attorney General issued a request for proposal seeking outside legal expertise in pursuing claims against manufacturers, distributors, and other responsible parties related to PFAS.
In December 2018, the State of Ohio, by its Attorney General, filed a lawsuit in the Common Pleas Court of Lucas County, Ohio against 3M, Tyco Fire Products LP, Chemguard, Inc., Buckeye Fire Equipment Co., National Foam, Inc., and Angus Fire Armour Corp., seeking injunctive relief and compensatory and punitive damages for remediation costs and alleged injury to Ohio natural resources from AFFF manufacturers. This case was removed to federal court and transferred to the MDL for AFFF cases.
In February 2019, the State of New York, by its Attorney General, filed a second lawsuit in Albany County Supreme Court against 3M, Tyco Fire Products LP, Chemguard, Inc., Buckeye Fire Equipment Co., and National Foam, Inc. seeking (1) compensatory damages consisting of (i) costs incurred and to be incurred by the State in investigating, monitoring, remediating, and otherwise responding to injuries and/or threats to public health and the environment caused by defendants' AFFF products used at sites across New York State; and (ii) damages for harm to the State's natural resources; (2) punitive damages; and (3) injunctive and equitable relief in the form of a monetary fund for the State's reasonably expected future damages, and/or requiring defendants to perform investigative and remedial work in response to the threats and/or injuries they have caused.
In March 2019, the New Jersey Attorney General filed two actions against 3M, DuPont, and Chemours on behalf of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), the NJDEP’s commissioner, and the New Jersey Spill Compensation Fund. One complaint was filed in Salem County and alleges the defendants should pay for clean-up and removal costs and damages as a result of alleged discharges of hazardous substances and pollutants by the defendants at DuPont’s Chambers Works facility in Pennsville, New Jersey. The other complaint was filed in Middlesex County and seeks similar relief relating to DuPont’s Parlin, New Jersey facility. 3M is included as a defendant in both cases because it allegedly supplied PFOA to DuPont for use at the facilities at issue. Both cases expressly seek to have the defendants pay all costs necessary to investigate, remediate, assess, and restore the affected natural resources of New Jersey. In May 2019, the New Jersey Attorney General and NJDEP filed a lawsuit against 3M, DuPont, and six other companies, alleging natural resource damages from AFFF products and seeking damages, including punitive damages, and associated fees.
In May 2019, the New Hampshire Attorney General filed two lawsuits alleging contamination of the state’s drinking water supplies and other natural resources by PFAS chemicals. The first lawsuit was filed against 3M and seven co-defendants, alleging PFAS contamination resulting from the use of AFFF products at several sites around the state. We expect this lawsuit to be removed to federal court and transferred to the AFFF MDL. The second suit asserts PFAS contamination from non-AFFF sources and names 3M, DuPont, and Chemours as defendants.
In June 2019, the Vermont Attorney General filed two lawsuits alleging contamination of the state’s drinking water supplies and other natural resources by PFAS chemicals. The first lawsuit was filed against 3M and ten co-defendants, alleging PFAS contamination resulting from the use of AFFF products at several sites around the state. This lawsuit is expected to be removed to federal court and transferred to the AFFF MDL. The second suit asserts PFAS contamination from non-AFFF sources and names 3M and several entities related to DuPont and Chemours as defendants.
Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Environmental Litigation
3M manufactured and marketed AFFF for use in firefighting at airports and military bases from approximately 1963 to 2000. As of June 30, 2019, 116 putative class action and other lawsuits have been filed against 3M and other defendants in various state and federal courts where current or former airports, military bases, or fire training facilities are or were located. In these cases, plaintiffs