Australia [Oceania], May 29: The Australian government said on Thursday it had launched legal action against 3M over contamination from firefighting foam supplied by the US company that contained PFAS, or "forever chemicals", seeking more than 2 billion Australian dollars in damages.
The claim against the Minnesota-based chemicals maker and its local unit is the largest ever brought by Australia, reflecting the past and future environmental, economic and cultural costs of the contamination, the government said.
"Make no mistake, this legal action against 3M is significant," Attorney-General Michelle Rowland told reporters.
"The Commonwealth is seeking more than A$2 billion in damages to recover significant past and future expenses incurred in investigating and managing contamination resulting from the historical storage and use of this foam." The government, which used the firefighting foam at 28 defense bases across the country, alleged 3M gave assurances the substance was safe to dispose of, biodegradable and non-toxic.But 3M withheld its own testing showing "significant adverse environmental effects" associated with its use, Rowland alleged.
3M said it would defend itself against the claims in court."3M never manufactured PFAS in Australia and ceased sales of the products at issue in Australia around two decades ago," the statement said. "Despite this, the Department of Defence continued to use PFAS-containing firefighting foams for nearly two decades longer." PFAS are a group of manufactured chemicals that are widely used in products resistant to heat, stains, grease and water.Known as "forever chemicals", they do not naturally break down in the environment, raising concerns about their accumulation in ecosystems, drinking water and the human body.
Source: Qatar Tribune
