New citizens' collective launches class action against 3M

Darkwater 3M, a new citizens' collective, started a class action against chemical company 3M. The initiative of 25 citizens of Zwijndrecht is directed against the Belgian and American branch, as well as against two CEOs of the chemical company. Specialised lawyers Geert Lenssens, Laurent Arnauts and environmental lawyer Dirk Abbeloos, who assist the collective, explained the procedure on Monday in Brussels.

Very high concentrations of the harmful substance PFOS have been measured around the 3M factory site in Zwijndrecht. The residents, who have united in Darkwater 3M, are very concerned, as the first research results show alarming concentrations of PFOS in the soil and in the residents' bodies. For the time being, only 25 people are involved in the initiative. In time, it is planned that up to 50,000 people and even companies will join Darkwater 3M.

"These citizens are worried to death about both themselves and their children. They notice that nothing has happened so far and therefore feel abandoned", lawyer Geert Lenssens explained.

The class action is directed against the Belgian 3M with headquarters in Zwijndrecht, but also against the American 3M with headquarters in Minnesota and the Belgian and American CEO of the company, respectively Koenraad Wilms and Mike Roman.

The procedure is a first attempt at reconciliation. The first petition for this purpose was submitted on Monday to the Antwerp justice of the peace, who is competent for the municipality of Zwijndrecht.

The collective Darkwater 3M expects that in the next weeks thousands of citizens and companies will join in. This is still possible until 30 April of this year.