The three chemical companies agreed to pay more than $1 billion to settle “perpetual chemicals” claims

Chemours, DuPont and Corteva announced Friday that they have agreed to pay more than $1 billion to settle claims that “permanent chemicals” contaminated U.S. public water systems.

The ubiquitous family of synthetic chemicals — perfluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS — linger in the environment and the human body can cause serious health problems and are found in everyday products such as fast food wrappers, cosmetics, and carpets.

In June, based on the latest science, the EPA issued a health advisory saying the chemicals are far more dangerous to human health than scientists originally thought, and may even be thousands of times less dangerous than previously thought.

The three chemical giants are facing thousands of lawsuits from across the country alleging that the toxic chemicals were used in manufacturing and then polluted the environment.

Dupont said in a statement that it “has never produced PFOS or PFOS.” CNN has reached out to the other chemical companies for comment on the allegations, but they denied the allegations in a press release Friday.

The three chemical companies said they had agreed to contribute $1.185 billion to the settlement fund. Chemours will contribute 50% (approximately $592 million), while DuPont and Corteva will jointly contribute the remaining 50% (approximately $400 million and $193 million, respectively).

Water systems serve the “vast majority” of the U.S. population, the press release said.

So far, the three chemical companies have reached an agreement in principle. The chemical companies said the final agreement is expected to be finalized later this year in the U.S. District Court of South Carolina.