Australians are more than ever coming to terms with the realities of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which have become known as “forever chemicals”. This family of more than 14,000 synthetic chemicals has been used in a wide range of commercial and household products since the 1950s. Scientists are still trying to understand the health risks associated with PFAS. These substances have been detected in multiple environments, including water treatment facilities, landfills, and even compost marketed to the public. In response, the Australian government recently revised their guidelines to reduce the acceptable levels of these PFAS in drinking water.
PFAS are especially concentrated out in waters near known exposure sites, like military training areas where firefighting foam is common. Recent studies have found startling data about their growing accumulation in the environment and our bodies. PFAS, including perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), are found in more than 85% of the population. In light of these events, the need for awareness and urgent action is especially urgent now.
Experts such as Dr. Jamie DeWitt and Dr. Brad Clarke are raising concerns about the potential health effects linked to PFAS exposure. They point out that some PFAS is unequivocally causally related to cancer. At the same time, research is looking into the numerous health dangers these dangerous chemicals pose.
Understanding PFAS and Their Environmental Impact
The term PFAS refers to a wide-ranging family of artificial chemicals notorious for their inability to be broken down in the environment. These compounds are difficult to break down because they tend to have carbon-fluorine bonds that give them their stability, hence their nickname of “forever chemicals.” This creates a major contamination risk because they pile up due to their inability to decompose in the environment.
Dr. Clarke explains, “It has a carbon-fluorine bond, which is very strong, and it doesn’t degrade easily in the environment … they get the term ‘forever chemicals’ because they don’t really degrade.” This resistance to degradation is what has caused environmental scientists and public health officials to sound the alarm.
Research led by Dr. Denis O’Carroll showcases this shocking PFAS contamination, with soil and groundwater samples containing PFAS detected globally. His results suggest that a whopping 60 percent of 45,000 samples tested above safe drinking water thresholds. This last piece of news highlights the urgent need for strong federal safeguards to reduce exposure and safeguard our health.
PFAS have been found in numerous fire-fighting sites across Australia. From contaminated water filtration plants located in western Sydney to the nesting soils of little penguins found on Tasmania’s East coast. To cite just two examples, one recent study has found that PFAS contamination is not confined to military bases or airports.
Health Risks Associated with PFAS Exposure
The dangers of PFAS exposure are more evident every day. Dr. DeWitt points out that there is a strong correlation between certain types of PFAS, particularly PFOA and PFOS, and cancer. Currently, PFOA has the most robust evidence for cancer association, then PFOS. For the rest, there just haven’t been enough studies to know whether or how they may be associated with cancer,” she says.
In addition, Dr. Clarke explains a wider range of health conditions that are likely to be caused by PFAS exposure. He notes, “We know that there’s a lot of harm from particular types of pollutants, so I’m talking about cancers, reproductive health problems, impaired immune systems, and neurological damage.” He disturbingly warns that male fertility is down 50% in the last 100 years. Almost all researchers are convinced that this decline is connected to chemical exposures.
The half-life of PFAS runs the gamut. Some can be eliminated in a matter of hours or days, while others remain in the body for years. Dr. DeWitt elaborates on this aspect: “When they are in your blood they can stick to proteins … that are designed to carry things around your body. PFAS are small enough that they can circulate throughout the body.” This long-term retention complicates efforts to get a better handle on what the health implications of PFAS are and how to mitigate those effects.
Regulatory Responses and Public Awareness
In response to growing concerns about PFAS contamination, the Australian government updated its guidelines surrounding safe drinking water last year. By lowering accepted thresholds for a number of PFAS chemicals, federal and state authorities seek to protect the public from harmful health risks posed by these chemicals.
As experts just pointed out, public awareness is still key. PFAS are found in a wide range of consumer products, especially those labeled as stain-resistant or water-repellent. Dr. Clarke advises consumers to be cautious: “Anything that is advertised as oil- or water-repellent is likely to have a PFAS in it.” He challenges consumers to consider alternatives: “So, do you have to have a sofa in your house that has a stain-resistant coating? Is it really that difficult to remove stains with soap and water?”
As Australians become more informed about PFAS, there is a growing push for individuals to make conscious decisions regarding their consumption patterns. Dr. Clarke encourages mindfulness when using products that may contain these chemicals: “Be mindful about how you use it, though. If you’re burning it, and you see smoke coming off it, that’s a sign that you shouldn’t be using it at that temperature.”
