The Australian government is seeking to deal with a class of chemicals known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
PFAS are used in a wide range of products, from non-stick frying pans to waterproof clothing. They are also found in some firefighting foams.
PFAS can stay in the environment for a long time and can build up in people’s bodies. Some studies have linked PFAS exposure to health problems such as cancer, thyroid disease and infertility.
PFAS enter the environment and the human body through many routes, including drinking water, eating contaminated food, and breathing contaminated air.
Exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects, including increased cholesterol levels, increased risk of thyroid disease, increased risk of certain types of cancer, immune system effects, and reproductive and developmental effects.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set drinking water health advisories for PFOA and PFOS at 70 parts per trillion.
At a recent conference in Sydney, Jen Martin, who is involved in researching exposure in livestock, told the audience that we all have some PFAS in us.”
“They are ubiquitous in the environment, and in humans. Many of these can bioaccumulate (become concentrated inside the bodies of living things), are persistent and can have toxic properties.”
It appears that Australia, which is about to get a new draft of its national management plan, is more cautious.
The expert health panel of the federal government points to the “fairly consistent reports of an association with several health effects”, while noting that they are “generally small and within normal ranges for the whole population”.
It is hoped by experts that the latest draft of the PFAS plan, due for release this month, will contain improved risk management systems.
It’s expected to address the issue of PFAS in biosolids in greater detail, which is a by-product of the wastewater treatment industry that’s routinely repurposed as fertiliser for Australian farms.
Biosolids are a nutrient-rich organic material that is produced as a by-product of wastewater treatment. When treated and disposed of properly, biosolids can be a valuable resource for agriculture and other land-based applications.
Proper treatment and disposal of biosolids is essential to protect public health and the environment. Biosolids that are not properly treated can contaminate water and soil, and pose a risk to human health.
