Australia Sues 3M for $2 Billion Over Forever Chemicals at Defence Sites
BBC Business reported Wednesday that the Australian government has launched a AU$2 billion lawsuit against US manufacturing conglomerate 3M, alleging the company concealed the dangers of toxic forever chemicals contained in firefighting foam used at military sites nationwide.
Australia’s Largest Legal Claim Takes Aim at 3M
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland described the action as the biggest legal claim ever initiated by the federal government. The suit targets contamination linked to per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, across 28 defence estate locations. Rowland said taxpayers had already spent more than AU$1 billion investigating and remediating contamination at affected sites. She said the government was determined to hold 3M accountable for both environmental and economic harm caused by its conduct.
The Australian government alleges 3M actively misrepresented the environmental safety of its aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). Canberra claims the company gave assurances the product was safe while withholding internal knowledge that contradicted those claims. It further alleges 3M failed to fully disclose risks associated with disposal of the foam.
3M Pushes Back on Core Allegations
3M has denied wrongdoing, stating it never manufactured PFAS within Australia and ceased selling the foam there roughly two decades ago. A company spokesperson said it intends to defend itself through legal channels. 3M also noted the Australian Department of Defence continued using PFAS-containing foam for twenty years after the company stopped supplying it, a point likely to feature prominently in its defence.
What PFAS Are and Why They Matter
PFAS chemicals are prized industrially for their non-stick and water-resistant properties. They appear in a wide range of products, from mobile phones and waterproof clothing to cookware and firefighting agents. The problem is persistence. PFAS do not break down naturally in soil, water, or the human body. Research has linked high concentrations of the substances to serious health conditions, including various cancers. In 2022, 3M announced it would phase out all PFAS manufacturing and work to eliminate the chemicals from its product portfolio entirely, citing mounting health and regulatory concern.
A Global Reckoning for Forever Chemicals
Australia’s lawsuit arrives as governments worldwide intensify scrutiny of PFAS exposure. Several US states and municipalities have already pursued legal action against chemical manufacturers over contaminated water supplies. The UK has separately introduced plans to address PFAS risks in drinking water and soil. Rowland signalled the Australian case would move forward aggressively, framing it as a matter of accountability for corporate misconduct with lasting public health consequences.
Read Next: What Are Forever Chemicals and Why Are Regulators Alarmed?
