Australia has launched its biggest-ever lawsuit against 3M, seeking more than A$2 billion ($1.43 billion) over PFAS contamination linked to firefighting foam used at military bases across the country.
The Australian government claims 3M supplied foam containing PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” while assuring authorities it was safe, biodegradable, and non-toxic. Officials allege the company withheld internal testing that showed serious environmental risks tied to the chemicals.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals that do not naturally break down and have been linked to health problems including liver damage, lower birth weight, and certain cancers.
Australia says it has already spent more than A$1.3 billion managing the contamination, including cleaning over 200,000 metric tons of polluted soil and treating more than 13 billion litres of contaminated water. The government has also paid hundreds of millions in settlements to affected communities.
3M said it would fight the claims in court, noting it stopped selling the products in Australia around two decades ago and arguing the Australian Defence Department continued using the foam long afterward.