3M contamination case heads to Washington Co. jury

A lawsuit alleging 3M Co. was negligent in contaminating groundwater is now headed to a Washington County jury.

The lawsuit filed by three households alleges property values declined due to the presence of old 3M chemicals. The homeowners want over $200,000 in damages.

In closing arguments Tuesday, the homeowners' attorneys said 3M scientists knew the chemicals would pollute groundwater, but did not report it. Attorneys for 3M said the chemicals were introduced when there were few pollution laws. 3M also has said the trace levels of chemicals in water aren't a health threat.

3M made the compounds, called perfluorochemicals, in Cottage Grove from about 1950 to 2002 and used them in products including Scotchgard and nonstick cookware.

The case is narrower than the original case filed in 2004.

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Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com