PFAS Advisory Sign, January 4, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
(WTAQ-WLUK) — A settlement has been reached between the state of Wisconsin and Tyco Fire Products regarding PFAS pollution in Marinette County, but details of the deal haven’t yet been released.
In March 2022, the state Department of Justice filed the civil lawsuit, alleging Johnson Controls and Tyco Fire Products violated the state’s hazardous substance spills law. According to the complaint, the companies failed to notify the Department of Natural Resources about a PFAS discharge. It also states they failed to clean up contamination at and around the Fire Technology Center in Marinette. Tyco has denied these allegations.
During a hearing Wednesday, Assistant Attorney General Kevin Grzebielski said a trial won’t be necessary.
“We have reached a final settlement,” he said. “It has been reviewed by both sides. It is completed. What we need to do is have time to do our final look-over, our final review.”
The attorneys expect to present their final documents to Judge Tammy Jo Hock for her review by the end of next week, Grzebielski said. If she approves the settlement, the case will be closed. If not, a June 11 hearing would address any outstanding issues.
According to a March 2025 post, Tyco has spent more than $100 million on groundwater extraction and treatment systems, removing contaminated soils and providing clean water to neighbors impacted by groundwater issues.
PFAS are man-made chemicals found in a number of products, including firefighting foam. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PFAS can increase cancer risk and affect growth, learning and women’s fertility.
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