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Thu, 28 May 2026

Thu, 28 May 2026 Australia sues US giant 3M over 'forever chemicals' in firefighting foam

The A$2bn case, which centres on contamination at defence sites, is the largest ever brought by the government.
The Australian government has launched a $2 billion lawsuit against US company 3M, alleging that it knowingly sold toxic "forever chemicals" in firefighting foam that contaminated military bases across the country. The government claims that 3M misrepresented the safety and environmental impact of the foam, which is made up of PFAS (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances). The lawsuit alleges that 3M withheld information about the foam's risks and assured authorities that it was safe to use. However, research has shown that PFAS can persist in water, soil, and food for decades and have been linked to various health problems. The Australian government is seeking damages of $2 billion (US$1.4 billion) for the costs incurred in dealing with the contamination at 28 military bases. The case alleges that 3M's actions were deliberate and negligent, causing significant economic and environmental harm to Australia. In response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for 3M denied the allegations, stating that the company had never made PFAS in Australia and stopped selling the foam there 20 years ago.