Australia has launched a record $2 billion lawsuit against U.S. conglomerate 3M, seeking damages for environmental and economic harm caused by PFAS contamination from firefighting foam at 28 defense bases, according to multiple reports.
Key Takeaways
Australia has launched a record $2 billion lawsuit against U.S. conglomerate 3M for environmental and economic harm caused by PFAS contamination from firefighting foam at 28 defense bases. The government alleges that 3M withheld information about the risks posed by 'forever chemicals.'
- Australia files largest legal claim in its history, seeking $2 billion in damages
- Attorney-General Michelle Rowland accuses 3M of misrepresenting environmental risks and safety assurances
- Over $1 billion already spent on investigating and mitigating contamination at defense bases
- 200,000 metric tons of contaminated soil removed and 13 billion liters of water treated
- 3M claims it never manufactured PFAS in Australia but will defend against the lawsuit
The government alleges that 3M withheld information about the risks posed by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as 'forever chemicals,' which do not break down naturally. The lawsuit, filed in the Federal Court of Australia, is the largest legal claim ever brought by the Australian government.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland stated that the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foam has resulted in substantial costs for defense and taxpayers, including over $1 billion spent on investigating and mitigating contamination. The lawsuit aims to recover these costs and hold 3M accountable for the economic and environmental harms.
The Australian Defense Department has already removed 200,000 metric tons of contaminated earth from bases and treated 13 billion liters of contaminated water. Assistant Defense Minister Peter Khalil emphasized that this legal action is unprecedented in its scale and significance for the country.
The specific allegations include that 3M misrepresented the effects of aqueous film-forming foam, withheld information about environmental risks, and provided assurances regarding disposal and environmental safety that were not consistent with what the company knew to be true. According to UPI, more than 200,000 tons of PFAS-contaminated soil had been removed from the affected bases and treated, consuming over 3.4 billion gallons of water as part of the decontamination process.
In response to the lawsuit, 3M stated it would defend against these claims through the legal process. The company asserted it has never manufactured PFAS in Australia and ceased sales of the products around two decades ago. However, the Department of Defense continued using PFAS-containing firefighting foams for nearly two decades longer.
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