Senate inquiry delivers 47 recommendations to strengthen PFAS risks
An inquiry into so-called “forever chemicals” has called on the Australian government to now ban PFAS, described as the “asbestos of the 21st century”.
A Senate select committee delivered its final report Wednesday, making 47 recommendations after a 15-month investigation into PFAS.
PFAS are a class of chemicals known as perfluorinated chemicals, perfluorochemicals or ‘perfluoroalkyls’ and are often referred to as persistent chemicals because they can take thousands of years to break down in the environment.
PFAS chemicals were widely used in household and industrial products, including firefighting foam, scotch guard, and nonstick cookware, contaminating the environment and waterways around the world.
The committee called on the federal government to enact legislation that would ban PFAS chemicals and align with other countries.
Independent senator Lidia Thorpe chaired the inquiry and said PFAS chemicals were the asbestos of the 21st century.
“The committee agreed on a number of recommendations, but as chairman I made additional comments because stronger action is urgently needed,” he said.
“All PFAS chemicals should be banned one by one, not phased out.
“Only truly essential uses should remain, evaluated independently and not by the chemical industry.
“This report is a warning and cannot be allowed to gather dust like others.”
Among the recommendations, the government recommended subsidizing PFAS blood testing, health and cancer screenings, and mental health support for people living in areas exposed to high levels of PFAS, including firefighters and those living near heavily contaminated areas.
“The science is clear: PFAS are toxic and linked to immune, reproductive and cancer risks,” said Senator Thorpe.
“People are getting sick but the problem is still being minimized; it needs to be stopped. These chemicals are the asbestos of the 21st century.”
It also recommended creating a fund for the state and a task force to remediate severely polluted areas, and establishing a national environmental monitoring program to monitor pollution levels in the environment, waterways and wildlife.
He also suggested accelerating the distribution of PFAS-free firefighting foams.
