3M says it will stop producing "forever chemicals" by 2025

• The extremely durable chemicals have since caused numerous contamination issues in U.S. drinking water systems and have been linked to adverse health effects.
• PFAS, a family of nearly 5,000 different chemicals, have recently come under increased scrutiny from regulators, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

What they're saying: 3M said the change was in part due to proposed restrictions on all PFAS by the European Union and the EPA's plans to further regulate PFAS levels in drinking water systems.

• The company also said customers and consumers are "increasingly interested in alternatives to PFAS."
• "The challenges of managing businesses and operations with products based on PFAS, have increasingly weighed on our business results in recent years," it told investors.

How it works: They have been used in several nonstick, water-repellent and fire-resistant industrial and consumer products for decades, including cookware, some food packaging and fire-fighting materials.

• Because they resist degradation, PFAS can persist in the environment for years while accumulating in people, livestock fish and wildlife.

• People can be exposed to PFAS in several different ways, including from drinking water, food, air and consumer products.

The big picture: The EPA last year announced a "roadmap" for regulating the chemicals and has since released a new health advisory for the chemicals in drinking water and designated two of the chemicals as hazardous.

• Other major companies, like several fast food chains, have also pledged to eliminate their use of the chemicals in food packaging.

Go deeper: Chemists discover new method to destroy "forever chemicals"