The Government is suing 3M for $2 billion over PFAS

The Federal Government is suing science equipment company 3M for $2 billion, the largest legal claim it has ever pursued.

The case is about PFAS, or ‘forever chemicals’, in a 3M-manufactured fire-fighting foam used on defence bases.

The Government alleges 3M knew the risks of the PFAS in the foam but did not share them.

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said Australians “expect their Government... to hold companies accountable when communities and the environment are impacted.“

PFAS

PFAS have been used in household products since the 1950s, including non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, firefighting foams, and products designed to resist grease.

The chemicals don’t break down easily in the environment, and when humans are exposed to them, they can remain in the body for long periods of time. This is why they’re referred to as “forever chemicals”.

Scientists have linked PFAS exposure to a range of serious health conditions, including liver damage, kidney disease, type II diabetes, and some cancers.

Case

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This week, the Government announced it would sue 3M for $2 billion, claiming the company was aware of the risks of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF).

The ADF used AFFF to fight fires on its bases, which the Government says has contaminated the local environment.

The Government alleges 3M knew the there were dangers associated with using AFFF but “did not fully disclose... the environmental risks”.

The $2 billion would be used to recover the costs of investigating and cleaning up the contamination.

Response

In a statement to TDA, 3M said it had “never manufactured PFAS in Australia and ceased sales of the products at issue in Australia around two decades ago.”

“The Department of Defence continued to use PFAS-containing fire fighting foams for nearly two decades longer, as noted in a recent legislative committee report.”

The company said it would fight the Government’s claims in court.