Australia sues 3M for record-breaking sum over Pfas ‘forever chemicals’ in firefighting foam

Federal government seeks more than $2bn in damages from multinational manufacturer in its largest legal claim ever

The Australian government said on Thursday it had launched legal action against multinational manufacturer 3M over Pfas chemical contamination at defence bases, seeking damages of more than $2bn (US$1.4bn).

Attorney general Michelle Rowland said the use of per- and poly-fluoroaklyl substances, known as “forever chemicals”, in firefighting foam had caused major environmental and economic harm, resulting in the largest legal claim ever brought by the federal government.