PFAS Is ‘Everywhere’ Scientists Say, Even Water And Testicles

‘Forever chemicals’, scientifically known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), have been found almost everywhere, including your drinking water.

Last week, Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe won support to hold a Senate inquiry into the health and environmental impacts of PFAS.

Water researcher Ian Wright explains what’s concerning about ‘forever chemicals’ on this episode of The Briefing:

The Briefing host Bension Siebert said, “They seem to be turning up in places they shouldn’t be, in platypus, in testicles, in Sydney’s water supply.”

Water researcher and associate professor at Western Sydney University’s School of Science Ian Wright said health authorities need to “tell us what they know”.

“When you go to the tap and pour glass of water and drink it, that’s an act of faith,” Wright said.

Wright said the government needs to closely monitor water supplies and provide guidelines on household items that have PFAS.

“Help inform our choices, our personal choices. That might be also, don’t use that non-stick cookware. That might also be very careful using, for example, some grease-proof paper,” he said.

The Australian Department of Health website says there’s limited evidence linking PFAS exposure to human disease. However, some studies suggest associations with various health conditions and research is ongoing. 

Read about how PFAS has contaminated Australian farms here.

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