Recent reports have brought to light some concerns about the level of PFAS chemicals in the environment and specifically in our drinking water. Should we be worried?
My area of knowledge is nutrition not environmental science, although the two are definitely linked. I therefore have gone to University of NSW sources of information and some others to try to simplify the facts and to better understand what is going on.
Why UNSW? Because they recently (April 2024) published a study in Nature journal called Underestimated burden of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in global surface waters and groundwaters.
What are PFAS?
PFAS is the collective word for a group of 14,000 or so human made chemicals- per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances. These have been around and widely used since the 1950's. You have quite probably used them yourself in cleaning products, insecticides, non-stick pans, make up and so much more. They are also found in specialised industrial products such as fire fighting foam.
As far as my research can tell me, The Protection of the Environment Operations (General) Regulation 2022 bans and restricts the use of PFAS firefighting foam in NSW to reduce its impact on the environment, while still allowing its use for preventing or fighting catastrophic fires by relevant authorities and exempt entities.
The concerning thing about PFAS substances is that they never break down completely- not in the environment and not in our bodies.
Are PFAS harmful?
According to the European Environmental Agency (part of the EU) "They can lead to health problems such as liver damage, thyroid disease, obesity, fertility issues and cancer." Other claims have been made that they are linked to low birth weight babies, and high cholesterol. An expert panel of the Australian government, however, concludes that there is limited evidence that PFAS poses clinically significant harm to human health. Those who should be most concerned are those who have had heightened exposure, such as near military bases where fire fighting foam was used extensively, or where the bore water has been contaminated. Monitoring and counselling services have been provided for these populations.
How much PFAS?
So it would seem that low level exposure is far less of a worry (at our current level of research and understanding). What is an acceptable level of PFAS?
This is a debatable point. Water safety levels of PFAS are quite different in US, Canadian and Australian guidelines. In fact Australian PFAS level guidelines are double that of the US and Canada is even stricter. Why aren't there international standards? Who knows?!
What level of PFAS are in the water?
The global study conducted by UNSW found that in some places PFAS levels in water sources were above safe levels- the percentage above 'safe' varied from 5% to 50% in some places. I wondered which country or agency's 'safe' criteria were being used in the study. A quick read said that regardless of which country's guidance levels were used as the reference there were places with higher PFAS levels than would be considered safe. This study was global and clearly there are very differing levels of safe water treatment (or none) across the world.
Should we therefore be very alarmed?
Treated Drinking Water Should be Safe
Bear in mind that, in Australia at least, source water (dams etc) is treated by local water authorities before being made available to the public. Professor Denis O'Carroll, one of the lead researchers on the UNSW study, said "Drinking water is largely safe, and I don't hesitate drinking it. " Then, "I also don't suggest that bottled water is better, because it doesn't mean that they've done anything differently than what comes out of the tap."
If your drinking water doesn't come from a local water authority then it is up to you to use a filtration system. Reverse osmosis dual filtration systems were found in one US study to remove close to all the PFAS. Carbon filtration is about 70% effective.
Other PFAS Sources
It is very likely that all of us have some PFAS in our bodies already. How can we reduce our exposure in case further studies do find more solid links to adverse health conditions?
You have to be pretty motivated to seek out all the PFAS in your home and eliminate it, some of the products are downright useful!
However, with recent interest in reducing PFAS exposure some companies have been producing PFAS free alternatives. If you are concerned, seek them out.
The kinds of products which may contain PFAS are:
Insecticides eg cockroach spray
Baking paper (the non stick kind)
Non stick cooking pans and baking trays
Shampoos, deodorant
Make Up
Dental floss
Stain resistant coatings for carpets, upholstery etc.
Cleaning products
Water resistant coats, umbrellas, tents.
What now?
Given the level of concern about enduring chemicals in the environment and the body and the emerging concerns about negative health effects, we should see a surge in non PFAS alternatives in the coming years.
In the meantime, if plastics in your body give you pause, seek out alternatives. For now, however, it seems that treated or filtered water is still safe to drink. (If you want to be extra sure filter it yourself!)
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