Australia Sues 3M for $1.4 Billion Over ‘Forever Chemicals’
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- The Australian government is suing 3M for over $1.4 billion, accusing the company of hiding information about the harmful effects of PFAS "forever chemicals" used at more than 24 military sites in Australia.
- Attorney General Michelle Rowland described the lawsuit as the largest ever brought by the Australian government and emphasized the government's commitment to holding a major multinational corporation accountable.
- This legal action follows a series of lawsuits against 3M in the U.S., where the company agreed to pay $10.3 billion in 2024 to public water suppliers over PFAS contamination.
- PFAS chemicals are persistent in the environment and have been linked to serious health issues including liver damage, developmental problems, immune dysfunction, and cancer.
- The chemicals were widely used in firefighting foam at military bases globally, prompting extensive cleanup efforts funded by governments, including the U.S. Defense Department and Congress.