The Australian government has filed a landmark lawsuit against US manufacturing giant 3M, seeking AU$2bn (US$1.4bn) in damages over the alleged use of toxic “forever chemicals” that contaminated multiple defence sites across the country.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland described the case as the largest legal claim ever brought by the government, aimed at recovering substantial costs linked to environmental remediation and public health concerns associated with PFAS contamination at 28 locations.
PFAS, or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, are widely used in firefighting foams and other industrial products due to their water-resistant and non-stick properties. However, the chemicals do not naturally break down in the environment and have been linked to long-term contamination of soil, water, and food supplies.
According to the government, 3M allegedly withheld and misrepresented critical information about the environmental and health impacts of its aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), despite assuring Australian authorities that the product was safe.
“This misconduct has contributed to substantial costs for defence and the Australian taxpayer, including over $1bn to date to investigate, remediate and mitigate PFAS contamination at defence estate sites,” Rowland said.
She added that the government is committed to holding both 3M and its Australian subsidiary accountable for the environmental and economic damage caused.
“Make no mistake, this legal action against 3M is significant,” she said.
PFAS chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” have raised global concern due to their persistence in the environment and potential links to serious health conditions, including cancer. In 2022, 3M announced it would phase out PFAS production.
The Australian government’s case alleges that 3M failed to fully disclose what it knew about the risks associated with the firefighting foam and provided assurances about its safe use and disposal that were later found to be misleading.
In response, 3M said it would vigorously defend itself against the allegations through the legal process. The company also stated that it never manufactured PFAS in Australia and stopped selling the firefighting foam in the country approximately 20 years ago.
3M further argued that Australia’s Department of Defence continued using PFAS-based firefighting foams for decades after the product was no longer sold locally.
The case highlights growing global legal and regulatory pressure on companies linked to PFAS contamination, as governments seek to recover cleanup costs and address long-term environmental damage.
