Commonwealth accuses chemical giant of hiding health impacts of PFAS
In the largest suit ever brought by the federal government, details emerge about the alleged conduct of a US chemical giant accused of withholding health warnings.
The Australian government has filed a massive lawsuit against a major US chemical company, 3M, accusing it of intentionally withholding crucial information about the toxic and environmentally harmful effects of its firefighting foam products, known as aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). The Commonwealth claims that 3M, aware of PFAS contamination causing significant damage since 1979, continued to manufacture, market, and sell the products until at least 2003.
This lawsuit, filed in the Federal Court, seeks $2 billion in damages from the company, claiming it caused substantial costs and settlements related to PFAS contamination at 28 Defence bases across Australia and surrounding areas. The court documents detail 3M's deceptive marketing of the AFFF as non-toxic, biodegradable, and harmless to the environment, despite internal company records and studies revealing the toxic nature of PFAS, including its potential to bioaccumulate and bio-concentrate in humans and animals.
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