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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Donna Lu Science writer

Water quality expert calls for wider PFAS ban as NSW community seeks blood tests on ‘poisoned’ land

A warning sign at Mary Creek in Jervis Bay, Australia, which is closed to human use after PFAS were detected
A warning sign at Mary Creek in Jervis Bay. The Wreck Bay Aboriginal community council is seeking funding for blood testing of PFAS levels of residents. Photograph: Edward Gorwell

A water quality expert says the Australian government should expand a planned ban of PFAS as a New South Wales Indigenous community called for funding for blood tests for people living on “poisoned” land.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a group of several thousand synthetic compounds, are found in a wide variety of products including waterproof fabrics, food packaging, hygiene products and firefighting foam. They are sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals” because they are slow to break down and persist in the environment for extended periods.

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