Australia launches $1.4B PFAS 'forever chemicals' legal claim against 3M

Australia’s Attorney-General Michelle Rowland announced the country’s largest-ever civil lawsuit, seeking $1.4 billion from 3M over PFAS contamination linked to firefighting foam used at 28 military bases. The lawsuit alleges 3M knowingly misled the government about the environmental and health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as 'forever chemicals,' which do not degrade and have been linked to cancer and ecological damage. Rowland stated the claim covers cleanup costs exceeding $1 billion, including $200,000 tons of contaminated soil removed and 3.4 billion gallons of water used for remediation." "The legal action accuses 3M of misrepresenting the effects of aqueous film-forming foam, withholding critical information about disposal risks, and providing false assurances about safety. Deputy Defense Minister Peter Khalil emphasized the lawsuit aims to recover past expenditures and future costs for managing PFAS-affected sites and supporting affected Australians. 3M responded by denying PFAS manufacturing in Australia and stating it removed the foam from the market two decades ago, though it acknowledged the Defense Department used PFAS-containing foam until recently." "In 2022, 3M committed to phasing out PFAS production by 2025 and later settled a $10.3 billion out-of-court deal with U.S. municipalities to test and treat contaminated public water systems. Australia’s lawsuit follows a 2023 ban on three key PFAS chemicals due to environmental and health concerns. Studies have linked PFAS exposure to cancer, hormonal disruptions, and broader ecological harm, with the chemicals found in products ranging from non-stick cookware to cosmetics.