In a significant legal move, the Australian government has initiated a lawsuit against U.S. conglomerate 3M, seeking over 2 billion Australian dollars ($1.4 billion) in damages. The lawsuit, filed in the Federal Court of Minnesota, addresses contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at 28 defense bases across Australia.
Background on PFAS
PFAS, often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ due to their persistence in the environment, have been used since the 1950s in various products for their resistance to heat, stains, grease, and water. In this case, the chemicals were part of firefighting foams used at defense bases, which were particularly effective against fuel fires.
Government’s Claims
The Australian Attorney-General, Michelle Rowland, accused 3M of withholding crucial information about the environmental risks posed by these chemicals. The government is seeking compensation for the extensive costs incurred in managing and mitigating the contamination, which includes removing 200,000 metric tons of contaminated earth and treating 13 billion liters of water.
3M’s Response
3M has stated its intention to contest the lawsuit, highlighting that it ceased sales of the PFAS-containing products in Australia around two decades ago. The company also pointed out that the Australian Department of Defense continued using these foams long after 3M had stopped selling them.
Impact on Local Communities
The contamination has had a direct impact on communities near affected bases. In 2018, residents near the Richmond Air Base were advised to limit their consumption of locally produced fish and eggs due to PFAS found in groundwater.
Government’s Commitment
Assistant Defense Minister Peter Khalil emphasized the government’s commitment to holding corporations accountable for environmental damage, stating that the department has already spent AU$1.3 billion ($920 million) on addressing the issue. Khalil affirmed the government’s readiness to confront powerful corporations to protect Australian communities.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
