About PFAS
Use of the chemicals
Per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) such as PFOS and PFOA are a group of manufactured chemicals. PFAS have not been manufactured in Australia.
PFAS have been used since the 1950s 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, and food packaging.
As well as consumer products, PFAS have also been previously used in some industrial processes, including in certain types of fire-fighting foams.
The Queensland Government is working with industry to manage the use of firefighting foams in the state, as part of the Firefighting Foam Management Policy.
Impacts and risks
PFAS are commonly found in the environment at low levels due to their wide-spread use in consumer and speciality products over many decades.
According to the Commonwealth Department of Health’s Environmental Health Standing Committee (enHealth), the substances are of concern because they are broken down very slowly in the environment. They can persist for a long time and can travel long distances in water and air currents.
PFAS are found at very low levels in the blood of the general population around the world. The general public is exposed to small amounts of PFOS and PFOA in everyday life.
Levels of PFAS in the blood will decrease over time if exposure is minimised.
The effects of exposure to PFAS to human health are currently unknown, but the potential for adverse health effects cannot be excluded.
It takes a long time for levels of PFAS to reduce in humans so there is a risk that continued exposure to PFOS and PFOA could result in adverse health effects due to the accumulation of chemicals in the body over time.
The Queensland Health PFAS fact sheet (PDF, 95KB) provides general information about PFAS exposure and human health risks.
Residents that live in or near a contaminated area should aim to reduce their exposure to PFAS.
In areas where contamination of water has been identified (e.g. in underground, springs, water bores, dams, ponds or creeks), human exposure can be minimised by:
- not drinking the water or using it to prepare food.
- not consuming food products (e.g. eggs, milk, fish, crustaceans (prawns/yabbies/crabs), fruit or vegetables) grown or produced using, or in, contaminated water.
- avoiding or minimising the use of the water for showering/bathing, sprinklers or to fill swimming pools or paddling pools due to the possibility of unintentionally drinking the water.
Key contacts
Anyone concerned about their own health or that of family members should talk to their GP or call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
Read about reporting significant pollution incidents in Queensland.
Community members who have questions or concerns about a site or investigation should contact the relevant organisation.
Department of Defence
Airservices Australia
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) employees
Any current or past member of the QFES workforce who has personal concerns about exposure to PFAS, should contact PFFFEnquiriesQFES@qfes.qld.gov.au.