Approximately one thousand residents living near a 3M chemical plant in Zwijndrecht, Belgium, have initiated legal action seeking compensation for alleged exposure to PFAS pollutants. The lawsuit, which began on Tuesday, targets the American giant for years of emissions from its facility, operational since the 1970s. A 2021 road construction project revealed abnormal pollution levels in local groundwater and soil, later confirmed by blood tests showing high concentrations of PFOS in residents. While 3M states it ceased PFAS production at the Zwijndrecht plant in 2024, these "forever chemicals" persist in the environment and are linked to various health issues. The three-day trial in Antwerp seeks damages for "excessive neighborhood disturbances," with plaintiffs' lawyer Geert Lenssens requesting €20,000 per claimant, totaling nearly €30 million. 3M is also involved in a significant soil remediation project at the site, following a €500 million agreement with Flemish authorities in 2022.