澳大利亚起诉美国3M公司：就“永久化学品”污染索赔20亿澳元Australia Sues 3M for $1.4 Billion Over ‘Forever Chemicals’ Contamination
澳大利亚政府于周四（2026年5月28日）正式向美国制造业巨头3M公司提起法律诉讼，指控该公司生产的含有全氟和多氟烷基物质（PFAS）的消防泡沫造成了广泛的环境污染。据澳大利亚总检察长米歇尔·罗兰（Michelle Rowland）透露，此次诉讼要求的赔偿金额超过20亿澳元（约合14.3亿美元），这是澳大利亚政府历史上发起的规模最大的法律索赔。该案件的核心在于3M公司及其当地子公司向澳大利亚国防部供应的消防泡沫，这些泡沫在全澳28个军事基地被长期使用，导致了严重的土壤和水源污染。
The Australian government launched a historic legal action against U.S. manufacturing giant 3M on Thursday, May 28, 2026, over contamination linked to firefighting foams containing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Attorney-General Michelle Rowland confirmed that the government is seeking more than AU$2 billion (US$1.43 billion) in damages, marking the largest legal claim ever brought by the Commonwealth. The lawsuit centers on the supply of toxic foams to the Australian Defence Force, which were used at 28 military sites across the nation, leading to persistent environmental degradation of soil and water systems.
此次法律行动反映了澳大利亚政府在应对“永久化学品”长期影响方面的强硬立场。PFAS因其在自然环境和人体中极难降解而被称为“永久化学品”，长期接触此类物质与多种健康风险和生态破坏有关。澳政府表示，此次索赔不仅是为了追回过去和未来管理环境污染的巨额开支，也是为了应对污染带来的经济和文化损失。国防部助理部长彼得·哈利勒（Peter Khalil）强调，政府致力于确保纳税人不再为跨国公司的过失承担清理费用，并要求3M公司为其产品的后果负责。
This legal move reflects a significant escalation in Australia's efforts to address the long-term impact of 'forever chemicals,' which are notorious for their persistence in the environment and the human body. The government stated that the claim accounts for the past and future environmental, economic, and cultural costs associated with the contamination. Assistant Minister for Defence Peter Khalil emphasized that the action aims to recover the substantial costs of managing environmental damage at military bases, ensuring that taxpayers are not left to foot the bill for the manufacturer's alleged negligence. The case underscores a growing global trend of holding chemical companies accountable for PFAS-related liabilities.
01指控核心：隐瞒与误导Core Allegations: Misrepresentation and Withholding Data
澳大利亚政府在诉状中提出了一系列严厉指控，称3M公司在供应消防泡沫的过程中存在蓄意误导行为。政府指控该公司扣留并歪曲了有关泡沫及其环境影响的关键细节，尽管3M公司内部早已知晓这些化学物质的潜在危害，但仍向澳方保证其产品是安全的。这种信息不对称导致澳大利亚军方在不知情的情况下长期使用了这些有害物质。
The Australian government’s case rests on allegations that 3M deliberately withheld and misrepresented critical information regarding the safety and environmental impact of its firefighting foams. According to the claim, the Minnesota-based company assured Australian authorities that the products were safe for use, despite possessing internal knowledge to the contrary. This alleged deception led to the widespread adoption of PFAS-containing foams across defense facilities without adequate understanding of the long-term risks.
毫无疑问，针对3M公司的这项法律行动意义重大。
Make no mistake, this legal action against 3M is significant.
米歇尔·罗兰，澳大利亚总检察长Michelle Rowland, Australian Attorney-General
02受影响区域与治理成本Affected Sites and Management Costs
此次诉讼涉及的污染范围极广，涵盖了澳大利亚皇家空军（RAAF）及其他军种的28个基地。这些基地多年来一直使用3M生产的消防泡沫进行灭火训练和演示。政府目前正面临处理这些基地环境污染的沉重负担，包括监测地下水、清理受污染土壤以及为周边社区提供替代水源等。20亿澳元的索赔金额正是基于对这些长期治理成本的估算。
The scope of the contamination spans 28 military bases, including Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) installations where 3M’s foams were used for decades in firefighting drills and demonstrations. The government is currently grappling with the immense burden of managing these sites, which involves monitoring groundwater, remediating contaminated soil, and providing alternative water sources for affected nearby communities. The AU$2 billion figure reflects the estimated long-term costs required to mitigate these environmental and public health hazards.
下表概述了此次法律行动的关键数据点：
The following table outlines the key data points of the legal action:
| 项目 | 详情 |
|---|---|
| 索赔总额 | 20亿澳元 (约14.3亿美元) |
| 受影响基地数量 | 28个 |
| 主要污染物 | PFAS (全氟和多氟烷基物质) |
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Claim Amount | AU$2 billion (approx. US$1.43 billion) |
| Number of Affected Bases | 28 |
| Primary Contaminant | PFAS (Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances) |
03背景：3M公司的全球法律压力Background: Global Legal Pressure on 3M
3M公司作为Post-it（报事贴）和多种工业产品的制造商，近年来因PFAS污染问题在全球范围内面临日益增加的法律压力。PFAS因其防水、防油的特性被广泛应用于从厨具到消防泡沫的各种产品中。然而，随着科学界对其毒性和环境持久性的认识加深，多国政府开始采取行动。澳大利亚此次发起的诉讼是全球范围内追究化工巨头责任浪潮的一部分，旨在通过司法手段解决这一历史遗留的污染危机。
3M, the manufacturer of Post-it notes and thousands of industrial products, has faced mounting legal pressure globally over its history with PFAS. These chemicals were prized for their water- and oil-resistant properties, leading to their use in everything from cookware to firefighting foams. However, as scientific understanding of their toxicity and environmental persistence has grown, governments worldwide have begun to take action. Australia’s lawsuit is part of a broader international movement to hold chemical giants accountable for the legacy of 'forever chemical' pollution.