The Australian government has commenced legal proceedings against the U.S.-based corporation 3M and its local subsidiary to recover damages exceeding A$2 billion due to environmental contamination at military installations.

澳洲政府已對美國 3M 公司及其當地子公司提起法律訴訟，要求就軍事設施的環境污染獲得超過 20 億澳元的損害賠償。

The litigation, filed in the Federal Court, centers on the historical utilization of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at 28 defense bases. The Commonwealth alleges that 3M engaged in the misrepresentation of the substance's safety profile and withheld internal laboratory data indicating significant adverse environmental effects. These chemicals, characterized by their persistence and resistance to natural degradation, have been linked to severe health pathologies, including testicular and kidney carcinomas, liver dysfunction, and reduced neonatal birth weight.

這起在聯邦法院提出的訴訟，核心在於 28 個國防基地過去使用含有全氟和多氟烷基物質（PFAS）的水成膜泡沫滅火劑（AFFF）。聯邦政府指控 3M 誤導該物質的安全屬性，並隱瞞了顯示對環境有顯著負面影響的內部實驗室數據。這些化學物質具有持久性且不易自然降解，被認為與嚴重的健康病理相關，包括睪丸癌、腎癌、肝功能障礙以及新生兒出生體重降低。

Financial and logistical expenditures associated with the contamination are substantial. The Department of Defence reports an expenditure of approximately A$1.3 billion to date, encompassing the remediation of 200,000 metric tonnes of soil and the treatment of 13 billion litres of water. Furthermore, the government previously resolved a class action suit in 2023, allocating A$133 million to affected residents across seven sites. The current claim seeks to recoup these past expenditures and provide for future mitigation costs.

與污染相關的財務和後勤支出十分巨大。國防部報告指出，迄今約支出 13 億澳元，包括整治 20 萬公噸土壤及處理 130 億公升水。此外，政府在 2023 年解決了一起集體訴訟，向 7 個地點的受影響居民撥款 1.33 億澳元。目前的索賠旨在追回這些過去的支出並籌措未來的緩解成本。

In its defense, 3M asserts that it ceased the sale of the relevant products in Australia approximately two decades ago and has never conducted PFAS manufacturing within the country. The corporation further contends that the Department of Defence continued the application of these foams for nearly twenty years following the cessation of sales. This legal action follows a 2023 precedent in the United States, where 3M agreed to a US$10.3 billion settlement to address water system pollution.

3M 在辯護中主張，其約於 20 年前停止在澳洲銷售相關產品，且從未在該國製造 PFAS。該公司進一步聲稱，國防部在停售後仍持續使用這些泡沫近 20 年。此次法律行動效法 2023 年美國的先例，當時 3M 同意支付 103 億美元的結算金以解決水系統污染問題。

The Australian government continues to seek comprehensive financial restitution for environmental remediation, while 3M maintains its intent to contest the allegations through the judicial process.

澳洲政府將繼續尋求環境整治的全面財務賠償，而 3M 則堅持將透過司法程序對相關指控提出抗辯。