Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

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 two main areas where PFAS has been found in South Australia are:

• RAAF Base Edinburgh
• Adelaide and Parafield Airports

Check the site contamination index to see whether PFAS or other contamination has been discovered in your suburb.

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 PFCs in order for them to enter your body. 

The two most well-known PFAS are PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid). 

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 contaminated site 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 late-2018, 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 has been reviewing historical use of PFAS in South Australia to identify any areas where further environmental assessment may be required.  Anyone undertaking environmental assessment works in South Australia is required to notify if PFAS are found under the Environment Protection Act 1993. The Act does not apply to Commonwealth land.

The EPA will work with owners of any sites where PFAS are identified to understand any potential risks offsite and to advise on appropriate steps required to minimise any impacts on human and environmental health. 

What was PFAS used for?

PFAS have historically been used in a range of 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 PFOS or PFOA cause 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 ‘Further Information' section below.

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.

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.

The national Australian Government PFAS website provides easy access to information on PFAS.

• National Final Health Based Guidance Values for PFAS for use in site investigations in Australia.
• SA Water
• SA Health
• EPA report PFAS in the marine environment, March 2017
• EPA media release, 11 June 2016
• EPA information sheet
• Bore and rainwater testing