New York (CNN) — The companies Chemours, DuPont and Corteva announced on Friday they have agreed to pay more than $1 billion to settle claims that “forever chemicals” contaminated public US water systems.

The family of ubiquitous synthetic chemicals – per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS – linger in the environment and the human body, where they can cause serious health problems, and are found in everyday products including fast-food wrappers, makeup and carpeting.

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In June, based on the latest science, the EPA issued health advisories that said the chemicals are much more hazardous to human health than scientists originally thought and are probably more dangerous even at levels thousands of times lower than previously believed.

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

In a statement, Dupont said it “has never manufactured PFOA or PFOS.” CNN has reached out to the other companies for comment on the allegations, which they denied in a press release Friday.

The three companies said they have agreed to contribute a total of $1.185 billion to a settlement fund. Chemours will contribute 50 percent (about $592 million), and DuPont and Corteva will together contribute the remaining 50 percent, at about $400 million and $193 million, respectively.

The water systems serve the “vast majority” of the US population, the release said.

So far, the three companies reached an agreement in principle. A definitive agreement is expected to be finalized later this year in the US District Court for the District of South Carolina, the companies said.

North Carolina impact

Thousands of people in the state of North Carolina blame Chemours, which has a facility located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, for the contamination of tap water and wells in the state.

The suit, however, does not include the contamination claims made by people in the state, but advocates are paying close attention to it.

"I thought $1 billion was a drop in the bucket," said Emily Donovan, the co-founder of Clean Cape Fear.

Donovan founded the group and is fighting for Chemours to clean up the forever chemicals found in the Cape Fear River, which is Fayetteville's water supply.

"This one facility in Fayetteville sits on the Cape Fear River that lets out into the Atlantic Ocean. Where has all this gone for decades? Where has it gone?" Donovan asked.

Chemours, Dupot and Corteva, who deny the allegations, will still the pay the settlements, but the North Carolina lawsuits are still ongoing.

"I think clearly it's a recognition when a company or companies pay this kind of money," said Ted Leopold, co-lead council in the Cape Fear PFAS toxic tort class action lawsuit against Dupont and Chemours. "That's a real problem in terms of what their conduct has done by way of affecting the environment.

WRAL News reached out to Chemours about what this settlement means for North Carolina, The company sent WRAL News the following statement:

Chemours is open to working with public water systems plaintiffs in the lower Cape Fear River basin to find a mutually beneficial resolution of their claims. The announced joint settlement agreement with U.S. water systems allows water systems in the lower cape fear river basin to opt in to the proposed settlement class if they choose. Chemours has made significant investment in North Carolina to address emissions and legacy issues and continues to do so. This agreement further demonstrates our commitment to address and resolve legacy PFAS matters and ability to find common ground to achieve resolution.

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