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Per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as “forever chemicals,” have permeated global water sources to levels surpassing safe drinking limits, according to a groundbreaking study published in Nature Geoscience, led by researchers at UNSW.
PFAS, hailed for their versatility in resisting heat, water, grease, and stains, have long been employed in household products and industrial applications. However, their persistent nature in the environment and our bodies poses significant environmental and health risks, with potential links to cancer and other adverse health outcomes.
Led by Professor Denis O’Carroll of UNSW, the study represents the first comprehensive assessment of PFAS contamination on a global scale. Drawing on over 45,000 data points spanning two decades, researchers found alarming levels of PFAS in surface and groundwater sources worldwide, exceeding safe drinking limits in many regions.
“Many of our source waters are above PFAS regulatory limits,” remarked Professor O’Carroll, emphasizing the pervasive nature of PFAS pollution in the environment. “We’re talking above 5 percent, and it goes over 50 percent in some cases.”
In Australia, high concentrations of PFAS were observed, particularly in areas where firefighting foams were historically used, such as military installations and fire training facilities.
Despite reassurances regarding the safety of drinking water, concerns persist regarding the potential health risks associated with PFAS exposure. While Australian health authorities maintain limited evidence of significant harm to human health, international bodies suggest links to adverse health outcomes, including cancer and hormonal disruptions.
The discrepancies in regulatory limits between countries further fuel the debate surrounding PFAS regulation. Australia’s relatively lax limits, compared to more stringent standards in the US and Canada, underscore the need for a unified approach to mitigating PFAS contamination.
“Both health bodies would have different reasoning for that, and there’s not a really strong consensus here,” noted Professor O’Carroll.
The study highlights the underestimated environmental burden posed by PFAS, stemming from inadequate monitoring and regulation of the vast array of PFAS compounds and their prevalence in consumer products.
In response, Professor O’Carroll and his team are intensifying efforts to quantify PFAS levels from commercial products in the environment, develop PFAS degradation technologies, and create predictive models to assess PFAS distribution and impacts.
As the research progresses, Professor O’Carroll urges manufacturers and consumers to exercise caution in using PFAS-containing products, advocating for judicious use and enhanced awareness of the potential health and environmental risks associated with these ubiquitous chemicals.
The findings underscore the urgency of addressing PFAS contamination and call for concerted global efforts to safeguard water quality and public health from the pervasive threat of “forever chemicals.”
