Read the full article by Xanthe Gregory (ABC News)
“US chemical giant 3M has shed light on its planned ‘attack’ on the federal government’s $2 billion lawsuit, which alleges the company withheld evidence that its firefighting products were toxic to humans and the environment.
The Commonwealth is seeking damages arising from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination at 28 Defence Force bases across Australia and the areas surrounding them.
The largest-ever court claim brought by the Australian government alleges the company continued to make and sell aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) until 2003, despite knowing the dangers of its chemical make-up since 1979.
The 1,600-page statement of claim says the use of 3M’s AFFF ‘resulted in significant contamination’ of land and water, including drinking water, that posed risks to human and animal health and the environment.
Citing 310 internal company documents, the federal government’s lawyers allege 3M falsely made assurances the product was safe despite having studies that proved variants of PFAS were toxic to animals, could cause birth defects and harmed the environment. “…