What toxic chemicals were factory workers exposed to at the 3M Swansea site?

Factory workers at the 3M Swansea site were exposed to toxic 'forever chemicals' PFOS and PFOA, found in firefighting foam.

When did 3M know about the health risks of these chemicals?

3M was aware of the significant health risks associated with PFOS and PFOA as early as the 1970s.

What was the impact of the 2006 foam spill at the 3M Swansea factory?

The 2006 spill released toxic foam into a local river, leading to contamination levels thousands of times higher than safe limits for aquatic life.

Home / Health / 3M Hid Toxic Foam Risks For Decades, Workers Exposed

3M Hid Toxic Foam Risks For Decades, Workers Exposed

16 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Workers were exposed to toxic 'forever chemicals' in firefighting foam for decades.
3M knew of the health risks associated with PFOS and PFOA since the 1970s.
A 2006 spill released foam into a local river, with contamination levels thousands of times higher than safe limits.

3M Hid Toxic Foam Risks For Decades, Workers Exposed

Factory workers in Swansea were unknowingly exposed to toxic 'forever chemicals' in firefighting foam over many decades. 3M, the US manufacturer, had known about the severe health risks associated with PFOS and PFOA since the 1970s, including links to various cancers and organ damage. Despite this knowledge and a commitment to cease production of these chemicals by 2002, employees at the Swansea site were not adequately informed, and legacy foams remained on-site.

A major incident in 2006 saw a storage system malfunction, releasing the foam which workers, unaware of its toxic contents, pumped into a wastewater pond. This led to a significant spill into the local river, Afon Lliw, with contamination levels thousands of times higher than safe limits for aquatic life. This event underscores the long-term environmental impact and the company's delayed communication regarding hazardous materials.