The Australian government has filed a landmark lawsuit against US conglomerate 3M over its production of toxic 'forever chemicals', raising urgent questions about the safety of military equipment used by British forces. The legal action, announced on Wednesday, accuses the company of knowingly manufacturing and selling per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that have contaminated water supplies and caused widespread health problems.
PFAS are used in a vast array of products, from non-stick pans to firefighting foam. The chemicals are dubbed 'forever' because they do not break down in the environment and have been linked to cancers, liver damage, and birth defects. Australia's lawsuit alleges that 3M concealed the dangers of PFAS for decades, exposing communities and service personnel to harm.
The case has sent shockwaves through Whitehall. A spokesperson for the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed that it is reviewing all equipment containing PFAS, including protective clothing and foam used at airbases. “The safety of our personnel is paramount,” the spokesperson said. “We are urgently assessing the presence of PFAS in our supply chains and will take appropriate action.”
For the families of British soldiers who have trained at bases like RAF Lakenheath, the news is deeply unsettling. Campaigners have long warned that the use of PFAS in firefighting foams has contaminated groundwater around military installations. In 2022, tests at RAF Halton showed PFAS levels at 100 times the safe limit.
The lawsuit could have far-reaching financial consequences for 3M, which has already agreed to pay $10.3bn to US water suppliers to settle PFAS claims. But for campaigners, the issue is about justice. “These chemicals are everywhere,” said Dr. Helen Knight, a toxicologist at the University of Manchester. “They persist in the body and the environment. Australia’s action is a crucial step towards holding the manufacturers accountable.”
Meanwhile, the scale of contamination in the UK is only now beginning to emerge. A study published last month detected PFAS in rainwater across the country, with hotspots near factories and military bases. The government has pledged to bring forward new regulations on PFAS by 2025, but critics say that is too slow.
“We cannot wait another three years,” said Sarah Flint, a campaigner from the Clean Water Trust. “If Australia can take on a giant like 3M, why can’t our government do the same? Our soldiers and communities are being poisoned.”
The case underscores the growing global backlash against forever chemicals. The EU is considering a ban on PFAS in consumer products, while US regulators have proposed limiting levels in drinking water. For the UK, the defence review is a necessary first step, but for many, the real question is whether lives have already been lost.
