Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as “forever chemicals,” have become a growing concern due to their potential health risks and widespread presence in our environment. These chemicals, used in a variety of everyday products for their water, oil, and stain-resistant properties, have been linked to cancer and other health issues. The recent detection of PFAS in Sydney’s drinking water sources has heightened public awareness and sparked a national inquiry in the Australian parliament.
Understanding the Scope of PFAS
The definition of PFAS has evolved over time, with the number of identified substances expanding from around 200 in 2011 to millions in 2021. However, current analytical methods can only detect about 50 types of PFAS, leaving many unknowns in the vast PFAS universe. The most well-known PFAS chemicals include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), but the phrase “forever chemicals” is often used to refer to different groups of substances in various contexts.
Differentiating Between Local and Background Contamination
When assessing the risks of PFAS in drinking water, it is crucial to distinguish between local contamination and background contamination. Local contamination, often stemming from industrial manufacturing pollution or the use of aqueous firefighting foam, is typically confined to specific areas and has higher concentrations of contaminants. Background contamination, on the other hand, is related to exposure to everyday products containing PFAS and affects the general public differently than heavily contaminated communities.
The Challenges of Assessing Health Risks
Assessing the environmental health risks associated with PFAS is complex and controversial. While PFOA has been listed as carcinogenic and PFOS as possibly carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, the long-term health impacts of background exposures remain uncertain. Many other substances in the PFAS universe are still not fully understood, further complicating the assessment of their risks.
The Persistence of PFAS in the Environment
One of the most concerning aspects of PFAS is their inability to break down and degrade, allowing them to accumulate in our bodies and the environment. This persistence was recently highlighted by a study that discovered high levels of PFOS in the livers of deceased platypus throughout eastern New South Wales. The ubiquitous existence of PFAS as background contamination may not pose an immediate threat, but it is a looming danger to our future.
Moving Beyond PFAS
The Australian government’s plan to effectively ban the use, manufacture, import, and export of some of the most prominent PFAS chemicals from July 2025 is a positive step towards addressing the issue. However, the challenge of PFAS already present in our environment, including drinking water, remains. Moreover, even if we avoid PFAS in our drinking water by opting for bottled water, we are still exposed to these chemicals through various everyday items.
Innovating Alternatives and Responsible Choices
To truly move beyond PFAS, we must expand our focus from their presence in drinking water to their pervasive role in our daily lives. It is time to question whether we truly need these chemicals to achieve water-resistance, stain-resistance, or non-stick properties in our products. By making responsible choices and innovating alternatives to PFAS, we can pave the way for a more sustainable society.
The Need for Continued Research and Action
As the Australian parliament conducts its national inquiry into the dangers of PFAS, it is essential to continue researching and understanding the full scope of these “forever chemicals.” By expanding our knowledge and taking decisive action to phase out PFAS, we can work towards protecting public health and the environment from this pervasive threat.