Australia has initiated a major legal action against the US-based chemicals conglomerate 3M, seeking damages exceeding £1 billion for widespread contamination caused by so-called 'forever chemicals' present in its firefighting foam. The lawsuit, filed on Thursday, marks the largest-ever legal claim brought by the Australian government, targeting both the American parent company and its local subsidiary.
Government Seeks Compensation for Environmental and Health Costs
The legal move aims to recover the past and future expenses related to investigating and managing contamination resulting from the historical use of the foam, according to Attorney General Michelle Rowland. 'Make no mistake, this legal action against 3M is significant,' Rowland told reporters. 'The commonwealth is seeking more than A$2bn in damages to recover significant past and future expenses incurred in investigating and managing contamination resulting from the historical storage and use of this foam.'
The Australian government used the firefighting foam at 28 defence bases nationwide. It alleges that 3M provided assurances that the substance was safe to dispose of, biodegradable, and non-toxic, while withholding internal testing that showed 'significant adverse environmental effects' associated with its use.
3M Responds to Allegations
In a statement, 3M said it would defend itself against the claims in court. '3M has never manufactured PFAS in Australia and ceased sales of the products at issue in Australia around two decades ago,' the statement read. 'Despite this, the Department of Defence continued to use PFAS-containing firefighting foams for nearly two decades longer.'
Health and Environmental Concerns Over PFAS
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of manufactured chemicals widely used in products resistant to heat, stains, grease, and water. Known as 'forever chemicals', they do not break down naturally in the environment, raising concerns about their accumulation in ecosystems, drinking water, and the human body. Research has linked PFAS exposure to health issues including liver damage, lower birth weight, and testicular cancer.
Defence Department Details Cleanup Costs
Assistant Defence Minister Peter Khalil revealed that his department has spent A$1.3 billion (£690 million) dealing with the contamination's impacts, including A$408 million (£217 million) in legal settlements to affected communities. The department has also treated or removed over 200,000 metric tonnes of contaminated soil and treated more than 13 billion litres of water. 'This is the most significant legal action undertaken by Commonwealth and Defence in living memory,' Khalil said. 'To put it plainly, we are taking on 3M on behalf of the Australian people and the Australians that are affected.'
3M's Previous Legal Troubles
3M has faced thousands of lawsuits over PFAS contamination. In 2023, it reached a $10.3 billion (£7.7 billion) settlement with numerous US public water systems to resolve water pollution claims.
