Australian limits on acceptable levels of these toxic chemicals in drinking water ‘orders of magnitude’ higher than in US

Australian limits on acceptable levels of these toxic chemicals in drinking water ‘orders of magnitude’ higher than in US

High levels of so-called forever chemicals have been found in surface and groundwater all over the world, with Australia one of several hotspots for toxic PFAS, a University of New South Wales study has found.

Researchers examined groundwater samples from around the world and found 69% had per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at levels above Canada’s safe drinking water criteria and 32% had levels higher than the US proposed drinking water hazard index.

They found Australia was one of several “hotspots” relative to the rest of the world, along with China, Europe and North America.

More than 14,000 human-made chemicals are PFAS, including PFHxS, PFOS and PFOA. They have been used in firefighting foams, insecticides, food packaging, non-stick frypans, clothing and cosmetics. They were created for their high heat tolerance, and water and oil repellent properties.

  • AutoTL;DRBEnglish
    1•5 months ago

    This is the best summary I could come up with:

    They found Australia was one of several “hotspots” relative to the rest of the world, along with China, Europe and North America.

    PFAS have been linked to cancers, thyroid disease, altered sex hormone levels, reduced kidney function and lower birth weight in babies, but have not been proven to cause these conditions.

    The study author, engineering professor Denis O’Carroll, said Australia’s limit on acceptable PFOA in drinking water was “orders of magnitude” higher than in the US.

    The Australian government says most people are “very likely to have very low levels of PFAS in their bodies through exposure to everyday household items like carpet and upholstery protective sprays, cosmetics, sunscreens and some non-stick cookware”.

    People who live near sites where PFAS has been released into the environment in large amounts may have higher levels, especially if they have been drinking contaminated bore water.

    “The health effects reported in these associations are generally small and within normal ranges for the whole population,” the government’s statement says.

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