The Australian government announced on Thursday that it has commenced legal action against 3M, pursuing more than A$2 billion in damages linked to contamination from firefighting foam produced by the U.S. firm that contained PFAS, commonly referred to as "forever chemicals." The claim is the largest single action Australia has brought, with officials saying it reflects the combined environmental, economic and cultural costs both already incurred and expected in future.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland described the case as significant, telling reporters: "Make no mistake, this legal action against 3M is significant. The Commonwealth is seeking more than A$2 billion in damages to recover significant past and future expenses incurred in investigating and managing contamination resulting from the historical storage and use of this foam."
The government alleges that 3M represented the firefighting foam as safe to dispose, biodegradable and non-toxic, while withholding internal test results that showed "significant adverse environmental effects" associated with its use. The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to the government statement.
PFAS refers to a group of manufactured chemicals widely used for their resistance to heat, stains, grease and water. Because these chemicals do not readily break down in the environment, they are often called "forever chemicals." Authorities and researchers have raised concerns about their persistence in ecosystems, drinking water and within the human body.
Research cited by officials links PFAS exposure to several health issues, including liver damage, lower birth weight and testicular cancer. The government has emphasized both the environmental contamination and the potential human health concerns in framing the legal claim.
Assistant Defence Minister Peter Khalil said contamination has affected 28 defence bases across Australia. The department responsible for remediation has treated or removed more than 200,000 tonnes of contaminated soil and has treated more than 13 billion litres of water as part of its response efforts.
The government noted the financial figure in U.S. dollars using the exchange rate of $1 = 1.4029 Australian dollars. The legal filing seeks to recover substantial sums tied to past investigation and management efforts and to address anticipated future expenses associated with the contamination.
At this stage, the case marks a major claim by the Commonwealth in relation to PFAS contamination and outlines the scale of remediation already undertaken. Beyond the monetary amount sought, the government framed the action as necessary to confront both the documented environmental damage and the longer-term costs of monitoring and cleanup.