Australian authorities are seeking $1.43 billion in damages from 3M, accusing the company of contaminating soil and water with firefighting foam.

The Australian government has filed a lawsuit against 3M, seeking damages of over 2 billion Australian dollars (approximately 1.43 billion USD) for contamination caused by the firefighting foam used at 28 military bases. This foam contains PFAS, chemical substances resistant to degradation, which authorities claim 3M guaranteed to be safe and biodegradable, despite internal tests indicating adverse environmental effects.

The Australian Department of Defence has already spent 1.3 billion AUD on managing the contamination, including compensation for affected communities.

PFAS are associated with health issues, including cancer and hormonal disorders.

3M contests the allegations, stating that it did not produce PFAS in Australia and that the Department of Defence continued to use the foam long after the products were withdrawn. The case joins a global wave of PFAS-related litigation, with 3M recently agreeing to a 10.3 billion USD settlement in the US to resolve thousands of lawsuits.

Australian authorities consider this lawsuit to be the most significant legal action initiated by the government in recent decades.