PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — The company that made the Scotchgard chemical that has contaminated wells and raised fears of cancer near Rockford told Target 8 that it warned Wolverine Worldwide about the chemical nearly 20 years ago.
Wolverine Worldwide previously said it learned only recently that the likely carcinogen PFOS was in the Scotchgard the company used to treat its shoes at its Rockford tannery.
“We are surprised to see that Wolverine claims it was unaware of the fact that PFOS was used at its former tannery and, apparently, that it was unaware of 3M’s voluntary decision to phase out of the chemistries in question. The record reflects otherwise,” wrote 3M attorney William A. Brewer III.
“Beyond the fact that 3M’s phaseout decision and leadership on this issue made national headlines, 3M personally met with Wolverine long before and during the time of the phaseout announcement in May 2000. These meetings were to discuss PFOS, share information about the compound, and advise of 3M’s voluntary efforts to phase out of the chemistries,” Brewer added.
“3M bears no responsibility for the environmental practices of Wolverine,” he said.
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