Australia has filed a lawsuit against U.S. conglomerate 3M seeking more than 2 billion Australian dollars ($1.4 billion) in compensation for contamination caused by so-called “forever chemicals” at defense bases, the government announced on Thursday (fortune.com). The claim, the largest ever by the Australian government, targets pollution from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) linked to firefighting foam used at 28 military sites.
The suit was lodged in the Federal Court of Australia against 3M Company and its subsidiary 3M Australia. The government alleges that PFAS contamination from firefighting foam has caused environmental damage, particularly at the Richmond Air Base near Sydney, where residents were warned in 2018 to limit consumption of local fish and eggs due to groundwater contamination. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland accused 3M of withholding information about the risks posed by the foam. 3M responded that it never manufactured PFAS in Australia and stopped selling the products about 20 years ago, but noted the Defense Department continued using PFAS-containing foam for nearly two more decades (fortune.com).
The case highlights growing global scrutiny of PFAS, chemicals known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down naturally and have been widely used since the 1950s in products resistant to heat, stains, grease, and water. Similar lawsuits and regulatory actions have increased internationally as governments seek accountability for environmental and health impacts linked to PFAS contamination. Australia’s claim sets a precedent for large-scale legal action against manufacturers over legacy pollution from these substances.
Australia’s government will pursue the case through the Federal Court, seeking compensation for cleanup and damages at the affected defense sites. The outcome could influence future litigation and regulatory policies on PFAS use and environmental remediation efforts both in Australia and abroad (fortune.com).