The Australian federal government alleges in court documents that manufacturing giant 3M knew for more than 50 years that its firefighting products, including Pfas 'forever chemicals', could harm human health and the environment.
Key facts
- The Australian government is pursuing a $2bn lawsuit against 3M.
- Court filings allege 3M knew more than 50 years ago its firefighting products could be hazardous.
- The products are said to persist in water, soil, humans and animals.
- Alleged health effects include reduced kidney function, immune and fertility impacts, and lower birth weight in babies.
Manufacturing company 3M knew more than 50 years ago that its firefighting products could be hazardous to the health of humans and animals and could damage the environment, the Australian federal government has claimed in court documents, according to the Guardian.
The claims form part of the commonwealth’s $2bn lawsuit against the multinational company. In its filings, government lawyers said internal company documents included warnings that the products were toxic.
The products at issue include components in Pfas, the group of substances commonly known as ‘forever chemicals’ because of their persistence. The government alleges the products sold to Australia were known to remain present in water and soil, and to persist in the human body and in animals.
According to the court filings reported by the Guardian, the substances were said to contribute to a range of health conditions. These include reduced kidney function, alterations in immune function, effects on fertility and puberty, and lower birth weight in babies.
The allegations centre on what the government says 3M knew and when, with commonwealth lawyers pointing to internal warnings about the products’ toxicity dating back decades. The report was published as an exclusive by the Guardian.
The claims remain allegations set out in court documents and have not been tested or proven in court. 3M’s response to the specific allegations was not detailed in the source material.
Why it matters
Pfas 'forever chemicals' are found widely in the environment and human bodies, and their long-term health effects are a growing public concern. A $2bn government lawsuit alleging decades-long corporate knowledge could have significant implications for accountability, regulation and clean-up efforts.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Australian government seeking from 3M?
The commonwealth's lawsuit against 3M is a $2bn action, according to court documents reported by the Guardian.
What health effects are alleged in the filings?
The filings allege the products contributed to reduced kidney function, alterations in immune function, effects on fertility and puberty, and lower birth weight in babies.
What are Pfas 'forever chemicals'?
Pfas are components in the firefighting products at issue, described in the filings as persistent in water, soil, the human body and animals.