A Senate inquiry has called for an immediate review of national food and drinking water standards over concerns about ‘forever chemicals’.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) are long-lasting, man-made chemicals used in common household products. They are linked to serious health conditions, including some cancers.
The inquiry found “ingesting food and drinking water contaminated with PFAS is the primary source of exposure”.
It also recommended stronger enforcement of existing bans on PFAS in cosmetics and personal care products.
PFAS
PFAS have been used in household products since the 1950s, including non-stick cookware, water-repellent clothing, firefighting foams, and products designed to resist grease.
The chemicals don’t break down easily in the environment, and when humans are exposed to them, they can remain in the body for long periods of time. This is why they’re referred to as “forever chemicals”.
Scientists have linked PFAS exposure to a range of serious health conditions, including liver damage, kidney disease, type II diabetes, and some cancers.
Inquiry
Last year, independent Senator Lidia Thorpe called for an inquiry into PFAS, warning they were becoming “the asbestos of the 21st century”.
The Senate inquiry examined the health and environmental impacts of PFAS, and the current regulation and management of the chemicals.
It received submissions from members of the public, scientists, lobbyists, and First Nations health groups.
The inquiry called for a review of national food and drinking water guidelines against international regulations on acceptable levels of PFAS.
According to a Cancer Council submission, exposure to PFAS is most common through drinking water or food, though the risks are low for Australians.
The inquiry said it had learned “PFAS chemicals are found in much food packaging,” often added to materials to “serve as a barrier to heat, grease and water”.
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The inquiry said concerns had previously been raised that Australia’s drinking water guidelines were “falling short of the stricter limits” applied internationally for PFAS contamination.
It noted a lack of “national consistency in the regulation of PFAS in drinking water”.
The inquiry also called for Government-subsidised health services, including PFAS blood testing, cancer screening, and mental health support.
Additionally, it called for ongoing research into the health outcomes of pregnant women and children exposed to PFAS.
In 2023, First Nations group the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council reached a $22 million settlement with the Federal Government after PFAS was discovered in lands and waters around Jervis Bay, NSW.
The Government has admitted the PFAS contamination was caused by a nearby Australian Defence Force facility.
The inquiry visited Wreck Bay to speak to the community, and recommended the Government set up a long-term research project examining “the health impacts of exposure to PFAS contamination on the community” there.
Responses
In a statement to TDA, a Government spokesperson said that while it acknowledges the final report, it will provide its official response “in due course.”
The Government has three months to respond.
Shadow Health Minister Anne Ruston said the Coalition intends to “carefully consider” the inquiry’s findings, adding that as “the science is evolving fast, people deserve to know how everyday exposures might be affecting their long-term health.”
Exposure
The inquiry’s report comes months after the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the first large-scale study into exposure to ‘forever chemicals’, collecting urine samples from around 7,500 Aussies.
More than 85% of participants had at least three types of ‘forever chemicals’ detected in their blood.
The ABS found that “everyone has had some level of exposure to PFAS,” noting that even in cases where no PFAS was detected, the levels were likely too low to be “accurately measured.”
