3M to Challenge A$2 Billion Australian PFAS Lawsuit
3M plans to argue that a landmark A$2 billion lawsuit over PFAS contamination at Australian military bases is legally flawed.
The US conglomerate 3M plans to argue that a landmark lawsuit brought by the Australian government over PFAS forever chemicals contamination is legally flawed. The lawsuit, the largest ever brought by Australia, seeks more than A$2 billion in damages for contamination across 28 military bases where 3M sold firefighting foam between 1966 and 2003.
The Australian government alleges that 3M failed to warn that the foam could harm people and the environment, creating a public nuisance. In response, 3M's legal counsel argues that the case does not meet the legal definition of public nuisance and suggests that claims regarding breaches of consumer protection laws may be time-barred.
Australia has already spent A$1.3 billion managing the contamination, including A$408 million in settlements to affected communities. The Australian Government Department of Defence has treated 13 billion litres of water and removed 200,000 metric tons of contaminated soil. 3M is expected to file its defense on December 11.
