3M in the United States and Australia were hit with a major lawsuit filed by the federal government in Canberra for the cleanup costs and health impacts from the firm's alleged use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in fire-fighting foam at dozens of military bases across Australia. File photo by James Atoa/UPI | License Photo
May 28 (UPI) -- Australia launched a record $1.4 billion lawsuit against 3M in the United States and Australia accusing it of using per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, so-called "forever chemicals," in firefighting foam used at 28 military bases.
Announcing the government's largest ever civil suit, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the compensation being sought was to cover the substantial costs of the cleanup from a product she alleged 3M knowingly misled the government over, regarding its environmental impact and safety.
Rowland said the company must be made to account for "the economic and environmental harms associated with PFAS contamination."
"This misconduct has contributed to substantial costs for defense and the Australian taxpayer, including over $1bn to date to investigate, remediate and mitigate PFAS contamination at defence estate sites," she said.
