The Australian government has sparked a huge outcry after products containing PFAS - often described as forever chemicals - were previously used at 28 of the country's military bases. The Department of Defence claims that PFAS in fire-fighting foam has caused pollution over the years and has cost billions to address.
In a statement, 3M said the company has never manufactured PFAS in Australia and that it ceased sales of the products in the country about twenty years ago.
“Despite this, the Department of Defence continued to use PFAS-containing firefighting foams for nearly two more decades,” the company claims in an email response.
The company has previously been sued in the US over PFAS, among other things.
Facts: PFAS
PFAS are man-made chemicals that break down very slowly. They are called persistent chemicals and accumulate in nature and in our bodies.
PFAS are used, for example, in coolants, impregnating agents, fire-fighting foam, makeup, packaging and also in plant protection products used in agriculture.
According to studies, PFAS can affect birth weight, blood cholesterol levels and liver enzymes, and can cause a reduced antibody response after vaccination.
Source: Swedish Chemicals Agency, Swedish Food Agency
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