{"text":[[{"start":8.45,"text":"Australia is suing 3M, the maker of Post-it notes and Scotch tape, for more than A$2bn ($1.4bn) over environmental damage caused by “forever chemicals” in fire-suppressing foam used on defence sites."}],[{"start":24.049999999999997,"text":"The government on Thursday accused the US industrial group of “misconduct” over assurances it had provided over the use of products containing PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in firefighting foam used in Australia in the past."}],[{"start":40.25,"text":"Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the claim, filed in the Federal Court, was the largest ever brought by Canberra."}],[{"start":47.75,"text":"“The government is committed to holding 3M to account for the economic and environmental harms associated with PFAS contamination,” she said."}],[{"start":56.15,"text":"The government alleges 3M withheld information and misrepresented the effects of its aqueous film-forming foam. It said the company provided assurances about disposal and environmental safety that were inconsistent with what the group knew at the time."}],[{"start":71.1,"text":"PFAS have historically been used for a variety of products including household and industrial goods, clothing, semiconductors and safety equipment. The chemicals have been linked to health issues including reduced kidney and liver function and infertility."}],[{"start":86.5,"text":"The cost of decontamination has come into focus in recent years. The European Commission said in January the cost of cleaning up pollution caused by “forever chemicals” could reach €440bn by 2050 across the European Economic Area unless a full ban were enacted."}],[{"start":104,"text":"Minnesota-based 3M said on Thursday it had “never manufactured PFAS in Australia and ceased sales of the products at issue in Australia around two decades ago”."}],[{"start":115.1,"text":"“Despite this, the Department of Defence continued to use PFAS-containing firefighting foams for nearly two decades longer,” it added."}],[{"start":123.35,"text":"In 2024, the company reached a $10.3bn settlement with US public water suppliers that had detected PFAS in drinking water."}],[{"start":132.35,"text":"Peter Khalil, Australia’s assistant defence minister, said the government had already spent A$1.3bn on efforts to contain the impact of PFAS around 28 defence sites, including in soil and water supplies."}],[{"start":146.25,"text":"“I have visited communities right across Australia that have been affected by PFAS contamination, and they need action,” he said."}],[{"start":160.79999999999998,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1779951066_6195.mp3"}