By Jane Bremmer, Chair of Toxics Free Australia
Issue: Pollution from Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), aka forever chemicals
Location: Western Australia – aquatic and terrestrial environments
Impact: the increasing contamination of the environment, bioaccumulation in native species and impacts to human health
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a group of more than 14,000 synthetic chemicals that do not easily degrade and therefore pose a significant risk to the environment. This risk is severe, as there is currently no effective method of destroying PFAS. Impacts on human health and the environment have been recognised internationally, with several being listed in the Stockholm Convention cclxiv for elimination, due to their carcinogenic, bio-accumulative, persistent and toxic properties. PFAS has been recognised as a global threat (Cousins et al., 2022), compelling governments around the world to act.
Despite growing awareness, these chemicals are embedded in production systems and waste streams, including clothing, cookware, firefighting foams, industrial sites and pesticides.
The persistent and increasing contamination from PFAS presents a significant threat to biodiversity, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and human health.
Chemicals are inadequately regulated at the state and federal level. Nature protection laws must be improved to address persistent organic pollutants such as PFAS.
In Western Australia, testing run by the government showed widespread contamination across surface and groundwater systems. Many exceeded standards in the Australian guidelines , as well as those in the European Union and United States .
PFAS contamination mapping shows widespread distribution across Australia. Stockpiles of contaminated waste remain ongoing pollution sources.
PFAS exposure has been linked to biodiversity and ecosystem impacts including bioaccumulation in apex predators such as tiger snakes.
Chevron’s Gorgon project on Barrow Island has also been associated with PFAS contamination: reported environmental impacts .
Recommendations
- Ban PFAS as a group of chemicals.
- Align PFAS standards with EU, US and OECD benchmarks.
- Strengthen statutory pollution controls and restrict PFAS use.
- Mandate independent monitoring of chemical contamination.
- Clean up PFAS contaminated sites as a priority.
(See Recommendation 28 under Strengthen Pollution Monitoring and Regulation in WA .)
Citations
Cousins et al. (2022). Outside the Safe Operating Space of PFAS . Environmental Science & Technology.