SYDNEY, May 28 (Reuters) - The Australian government said on Thursday it has launched legal action against 3M over contamination from firefighting foam the U.S. company manufactured that contained PFAS, or "forever chemicals", seeking more than A$2 billion ($1.43 billion).
The claim is the single largest brought by Australia and reflects 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 alleged 3M said the firefighting foam was safe to dispose, biodegradable and non-toxic, while withholding its own testing showing "significant adverse environmental effects" associated with its use.
3M did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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 Defence Minister Peter Khalil said 28 defence bases across Australia had been impacted by PFAS contamination.
The department has treated or removed more than 200,000 tonnes of contaminated soil and treated more than 13 billion litres of water, he said.
($1 = 1.4029 Australian dollars)
(Reporting by Christine Chen in Sydney; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Stephen Coates)
