Australia files A$2bn PFAS lawsuit against 3M

28th May 2026 – (Sydney) The Australian federal government has initiated legal proceedings against multinational conglomerate 3M and its Australian arm, seeking A$2 billion (approximately US$1.4 billion) in damages over alleged contamination linked to firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals.

Attorney‑General Michelle Rowland described the case as the largest ever brought by the Commonwealth. The claim centres on pollution at 28 defence sites where aqueous film‑forming foam (AFFF) products containing per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were deployed over several decades.

According to the government’s statement of claim, 3M manufactured the foam and is accused of failing to disclose internal testing that allegedly identified significant environmental risks associated with the chemicals.

PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals”, are known for their persistence in soil and water and have been associated in studies with a range of health concerns, including certain cancers, elevated cholesterol levels and low birth weight.

Rowland said the Department of Defence and Australian taxpayers have already spent more than A$1 billion investigating, containing and remediating contamination. The government is seeking to recover those costs through the courts.

In Australia, PFAS pollution has been concentrated around military installations, where the chemicals are reported to have seeped into surrounding land and groundwater. The substances were widely used from the 1970s before a gradual phase‑out began in 2003.