The Australian authorities stated on Thursday it had launched authorized motion in opposition to 3M over contamination from firefighting foam provided by the US firm that contained PFAS, or “forever chemicals”, searching for greater than 2 billion Australian {dollars} ($1.43 billion) in damages.
The declare in opposition to the Minnesota-based chemical substances maker and its native unit is the most important ever introduced by Australia, reflecting the previous and future environmental, financial and cultural prices of the contamination, the federal government stated.
“Make no mistake, this legal action against 3M is significant,” Attorney-General Michelle Rowland informed reporters.
“The Commonwealth is seeking more than A$2 billion in damages to recover significant past and future expenses incurred in investigating and managing contamination resulting from the historical storage and use of this foam.”
The authorities, which used the firefighting foam at 28 protection bases throughout the nation, alleged 3M gave assurances the substance was secure to get rid of, biodegradable and non-toxic.
But 3M withheld its personal testing exhibiting “significant adverse environmental effects” related to its use, Rowland alleged.
3M stated in a assertion it will defend itself in opposition to the claims in court docket.
“3M has never manufactured PFAS in Australia and ceased sales of the products at issue in Australia around two decades ago,” the assertion stated.
“Despite this, the Department of Defence continued to use PFAS-containing firefighting foams for nearly two decades longer.”
PFAS are a gaggle of manufactured chemical substances which are broadly utilized in merchandise immune to warmth, stains, grease and water.
Known as “forever chemicals”, they don’t naturally break down within the setting, elevating issues about their accumulation in ecosystems, consuming water and the human physique.
Research has linked publicity to PFAS to well being points together with liver harm, decrease delivery weight and testicular most cancers.
Assistant Defence Minister Peter Khalil stated the division has spent A$1.3 billion ($923 million) in coping with the impacts of the contamination, together with paying A$408 million ($289 million) in authorized settlements to affected communities.
The division has additionally handled or eliminated greater than 200,000 metric tons of contaminated soil and handled greater than 13 billion litres of water.
“This is the most significant legal action undertaken by Commonwealth and Defence in living memory,” Khalil stated.
“To put it plainly, we are taking on 3M on behalf of the Australian people and the Australians that are affected.”
3M has confronted 1000’s of lawsuits over PFAS contamination. In 2023 it reached a $10.3 billion settlement with a bunch of US public water methods to resolve water air pollution claims.