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Australia sues 3M for $1.4B over PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ contamination - Business Insurance Skip to content Register for free Search Search Log In Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Risk Management Cyber Risks Pricing Trends Mergers & Acquisitions Technology Sponsored Content WSIA RISKWORLD Workers Comp & Safety Workers Comp Cost Control Pain Management Workplace Safety International EMEA Asia-Pacific Latin America People Events BI Intelligence Top 100 Agents & Brokers Best Places to Work 2025 Lists Directories Insurance Pricing BI Stock Index Magazine Current Issue Past Issues Subscribe Women to Watch ALL INsurance Resources Risk Perspectives Sponsored Content Webinars White Papers Australia sues 3M for $1.4B over PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ contamination Asbestos & Environmental Australia & New Zealand May 28, 2026 (Reuters) — The Australian government said on Thursday it had launched legal action against 3M over contamination from firefighting foam supplied by the U.S. company that contained PFAS, or “forever chemicals”, seeking more than A$2 billion ($1.43 billion) 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, Attorney-General Rowland alleged. 3M said in a statement it would defend itself against the claims in court. “3M has 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 Defense 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. Research has linked exposure to PFAS to health issues including liver damage, lower birth weight and testicular cancer. Assistant Defense Minister Peter Khalil said the department has spent A$1.3 billion in dealing with the impacts of the contamination, including paying A$408 million in legal settlements to affected communities. The department has also treated or removed more than 200,000 metric tons of contaminated soil and treated more than 13 billion liters of water. “This is the most significant legal action undertaken by Commonwealth and Defence in living memory,” Assistant Defense Minister Khalil said. “To put it plainly, we are taking on 3M on behalf of the Australian people and the Australians that are affected.” 3M has faced thousands of lawsuits over PFAS contamination. In 2023, it reached a $10.3 billion settlement with a host of U.S. public water systems to resolve water pollution claims. 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