SouthernWorldwide.com – Australia is taking legal action against U.S. conglomerate 3M, seeking over 2 billion Australian dollars, approximately $1.4 billion USD, for alleged contamination caused by “forever chemicals” found in firefighting foam at defense bases.
This lawsuit represents the Australian government’s largest-ever claim for compensation. The contamination involves per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, which have been detected at 28 defense sites across the country.
PFAS are man-made chemicals that do not break down naturally in the environment, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.” Their widespread use is increasingly facing restrictions globally due to documented adverse health effects.
The lawsuit was officially filed in the Federal Court of Australia, naming both the Minnesota-based 3M Company and its Australian subsidiary, 3M Australia, as defendants.
In response to the allegations, 3M has stated its intention to contest the claim. The company emphasized that it has never manufactured PFAS in Australia and ceased selling the relevant products in the country approximately two decades ago.
3M further pointed out that the Australian Department of Defence continued to utilize PFAS-containing firefighting foams for nearly twenty years after their sale was discontinued by the company.
PFAS have been utilized in various consumer and industrial products since the 1950s, valued for their ability to resist heat, stains, grease, and water. The firefighting foam containing these chemicals proved particularly effective against fuel fires.
Concerns regarding PFAS contamination have been evident for some time. In 2018, the Australian Defence Department issued warnings to residents living near its Richmond Air Base, located outside Sydney.
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These warnings advised reduced consumption of locally sourced fish and eggs due to the detection of PFAS in nearby groundwater sources. This highlights the potential for environmental contamination to impact local food chains.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland accused 3M on Thursday of allegedly withholding crucial information regarding the environmental risks associated with the firefighting foam. This accusation suggests a deliberate lack of transparency on the part of the company.
“The Commonwealth (of Australia) is seeking more than AU$2 billion ($1.4 billion) in damages to recover significant past and future expenses incurred in investigating and managing contamination resulting from the historic storage and use of this foam,” Rowland stated to reporters.
Assistant Defense Minister Peter Khalil elaborated on the financial implications and the scale of the cleanup efforts. His department has already expended AU$1.3 billion, equivalent to $920 million USD, on managing and mitigating the environmental impacts stemming from the foam.
These mitigation efforts have been substantial. The department has undertaken the removal of 200,000 metric tons, approximately 220,000 U.S. tons, of contaminated soil from various bases. Furthermore, 13 billion liters, or 3.4 billion gallons, of contaminated water have undergone treatment.
Khalil described the legal action as “the most significant legal action undertaken by Commonwealth and Defence in living memory.” He further emphasized the government’s commitment to pursuing this case on behalf of the Australian public and those affected by the contamination.
“To put it plainly, we are taking on 3M on behalf of the Australian people and the Australians that are affected,” he was quoted as saying by Reuters news service. This statement underscores the gravity and public interest surrounding the lawsuit.
