# Australia alleges 3M knew for more than 50 years its products could harm humans

https://mins.news/en/item/24295

- The Guardian, 2026-08-17 15:00 UTC
- Health
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/18/3m-knew-for-more-than-50-years-that-its-products-could-harm-humans-australian-government-alleges-in-court-documents

> The Australian federal government alleges in its more than A$2bn lawsuit against 3M and its Australian subsidiary that the company knew more than 50 years ago that PFAS-containing firefighting foam could harm people, animals and the environment. Court filings say the chemicals persist in soil, water and organisms and are linked to several health effects.