As reported by the Guardian, the Australian government filed the lawsuit in the Federal Court on Thursday. It is the largest damages claim ever brought by the Australian federal government.
Attorney Michelle Rowland said the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting foams had caused significant environmental and economic damage. Known as ‘forever chemicals,’ these substances accumulate in the environment and are considered harmful to health.
The lawsuit concerns the contamination of several defence bases. Australian forces used PFAS-containing firefighting foams for decades without knowing the long-term consequences. The chemicals seeped into groundwater and contaminated vast areas.
3M has already reached multibillion-dollar settlements in the US over PFAS damage. The company announced it would stop producing the substances by the end of 2025. The Australian lawsuit is the first of its kind against 3M on the continent.
Source: www.theguardian.com
