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Australia sues 3M for $2bn over 'forever chemicals'
28 May
Summary
- Australia is suing 3M for over $2 billion for Pfas chemical contamination.
- The lawsuit alleges 3M withheld and misrepresented information about Pfas effects.
- Twenty-eight Australian defence bases are contaminated, requiring extensive cleanup.
Australia has initiated legal action against 3M, seeking over $2 billion in damages for Pfas chemical contamination at defense bases. The government alleges the multinational corporation misrepresented the environmental risks of 'forever chemicals' used in firefighting foam.
This lawsuit marks the largest legal claim ever filed by the Australian federal government. Twenty-eight defense bases across the country have been impacted, with extensive soil and water remediation efforts underway.
3M stated it has never manufactured Pfas in Australia and stopped sales approximately two decades ago. However, the company is facing significant legal challenges globally, including a $10.3 billion settlement in the US in 2023.
