Australia sues US giant 3M over 'forever chemicals' in firefighting foam
The government says 3M withheld testing and misrepresented foam risks as it seeks to recover more than A$2 billion in cleanup costs.
- On Thursday, the Australian government launched a legal claim in the Federal Court of Australia against 3M, seeking more than $2 billion in damages for PFAS contamination at 28 defence bases.
- Attorney-General Michelle Rowland accused 3M of withholding internal testing that showed "significant adverse environmental effects," alleging the company misrepresented its firefighting foam as safe and biodegradable.
- The Department of Defence has spent more than $1.3 billion on its PFAS response, treating more than 200,000 tonnes of contaminated soil and more than 13 billion litres of water.
- A 3M spokeswoman stated the company would defend itself against the claims, noting it never manufactured PFAS in Australia and ceased product sales approximately two decades ago.
- Approximately 100 per cent of Australians over the age of 12 now carry these carcinogens in their blood, a public health concern underscored by 3M's 2024 settlement paying $19 billion to address contamination in America.
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77 Articles
Four letters describe the core of the allegations: PFAS, so-called eternity chemicals used on military sites in Australia - with potentially serious consequences for humans and the environment.
Australia launches record $1.4B lawsuit against 3M over ‘forever chemicals’ at defence bases
Australia is suing U.S. conglomerate 3M for more than 2 billion Australian dollars (US$1.4 billion) over so-called “forever chemical” contamination from firefighting foam at defence bases, the government said on Thursday.
Australia sues 3M for more than $1.4 billion over alleged 'forever chemical' contamination
Australia is suing U.S. conglomerate 3M for more than 2 billion Australian dollars ($1.4 billion) over so-called “forever chemical” contamination from firefighting foam at defense bases, the government said on Thursday. The government’s largest-ever claim for compensation relates to contamination with per- and polyfluoroaklyl substances, known as PFAS, at 28 bases. Human-made PFAS are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” because they don’…
3M sued for record $1.4 billion by Australia over "forever chemicals" at defense bases
Australia is suing 3M for more than 2 billion Australian dollars ($1.4 billion) over so-called "forever chemical" contamination from firefighting foam at defense bases, the government says.
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