Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, are man-made chemicals that have been used in a range of industrial and consumer products since the 1950s.
PFAS have been used in domestic and commercial applications including in the manufacture of non-stick cookware, in stain protection for fabrics, furniture and carpet, in food packaging and predominantly in some types of fire-fighting foams.
The two most well-known PFAS are PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid).
For the majority of South Australia, mains water (tap water) is not sourced from groundwater and is safe. In some regional areas where mains water is sourced from groundwater in South Australia, PFAS contamination is not present.
PFAS in South Australia
South Australia was the first state to ban potentially hazardous fluorinated firefighting foams on 30 January 2018. The ban came into effect following the amendment of the Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2015 under the Environment Protection Act 1993.
This ban effectively negates further environmental and human health risks associated with their use, and provides the community and industry with certainty around the use of these products.
Due to their wide use and persistence in the environment, PFAS can be found in soils, surface water and groundwater in low concentrations in many areas.
Where larger quantities of PFAS have been released into the environment, concentrations may be elevated.
There have been concerns interstate regarding PFAS where they have been found in groundwater which is used for drinking. However, groundwater is not widely used for drinking in SA, so is not considered a major source of human exposure to PFAS in this state.
For the majority of South Australia, mains water (tap water) is not sourced from groundwater and is safe. In some regional areas where mains water is sourced from groundwater in South Australia, PFAS contamination is not present.
The 3 main areas where PFAS has been found in South Australia are:
Background
In 2009, PFOS and its salts were listed under the Stockholm Convention, which requires participating countries to eliminate or reduce the release of these and other persistent organic chemicals into the environment. Australia is a signatory to the convention and the Commonwealth Government is assessing how to ratify the addition of PFOS.
PFAS are being phased out around the world because they do not break down naturally in the environment and can persist for a long time. Many PFAS chemicals have been shown to bioaccumulate up food chains.
PFAS enter the body through ingestion, not through skin contact. That means you need to eat or drink food or liquids containing PFAS in order for them to enter your body.
The two most well-known PFAS are PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid).
National Environmental Management Plan for PFAS
The Commonwealth, state and territory environment ministers have endorsed Australia’s first PFAS National Environmental Management Plan (NEMP).
The plan provides valuable guidance around storage, reuse and disposal of contaminated material which will facilitate proactive decision making for site contamination management including remediation. It recommends practices to assess sites and address contamination found.
The PFAS NEMP includes a program of future work that is expected to address key gaps by early 2019, as well as other important gaps through longer-term research activities.
Environment Ministers acknowledged the leadership of the Heads of EPA (HEPA) and the Victorian EPA in delivering the plan.
The EPA’s role
The EPA has reviewed historical use of PFAS from firefighting foam in South Australia to identify any areas where further environmental assessment may be required.
This is led to several liable parties entering into voluntary site contamination assessment proposals (VSCAP) with the EPA. A VSCAP details intended work, timeframes and estabilishes standards, and is public available through the EPA Public Register.
Section 83A of the Environment Protection Act 1993, requires owners, occupiers, consultants and auditors to notify the EPA of the existence of site contamination (including PFAS) or in the vicinity of a site, that affects or threatens groundwater. The Act does not apply to Commonwealth land.
The EPA will work with responsible parties of any sites where PFAS are identified to understand the nature and extent of the site contamination and any potential risks on and offsite and ensure appropriate steps are undertaken to minimise any impacts on human and environmental health.
Frequently asked questions
What was PFAS used for?
PFAS have been used in a range of domestic and commercial applications including common household products and specialty applications, including in the manufacture of non-stick cookware, fabric, furniture and carpet stain protection applications, food packaging, some industrial processes, and in some types of fire-fighting foam.
What are the risks?
PFAS are of concern around the world because they are not broken down in the environment and so can persist for a long time. Their widespread use and persistence means that many PFAS are ubiquitous global contaminants. In addition they have been shown to bioaccumulate up food chains.
What are the effects on human health?
Whether PFAS causes health issues in humans is currently unclear, but evidence from studies in animals shows that there is potential for adverse health impacts on humans. Please see Expert Health Panel for PFAS Report.
What should I do if I am a groundwater (bore water) user?
There are many man-made and naturally occurring contaminants that can affect the quality of groundwater. The EPA advises bore-water users to have their bores regularly tested to ensure the water is fit for purpose. In some areas, the EPA advises residents not to use bore water due to other contaminants. Please see ‘Further Information’ below.
Firefighting foam product certification
Clause 13A(4) of the Environment Protection (Water Quality) Policy 2015 states: 'A person must not supply a firefighting foam product unless the producer's certification of its fluorine content is clearly displayed on a label or document provided with the product'.
The EPA will consider a certification from the producer to be a statement as follows (either clearly displayed on a label or document provided with the product):
- This firefighting foam product does not contain fluorinated organic compounds.
- Fluorine or fluorinated substances were not used in the manufacture of this firefighting foam product.
- Equipment used to manufacture this firefighting foam product was either (a) not previously used to contain or manufacture fluorinated organic compounds; or (b) thoroughly cleaned to prevent residual fluorinated organic compounds from being included as contaminants in this firefighting foam product.
Further information
The national Australian Government PFAS website provides easy access to information on PFAS.
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