Health FAQs

I am worried about my health, what can I do?

FRNSW appreciates that the unknown nature of PFAS can be very unsettling. It’s worth noting that most people living in developed nations are likely to have some levels of PFAS in their body because these chemicals have historically been used in many common domestic products like non-stick cookware, fire retardant fabrics and furniture.

FRNSW relies on guidance from relevant health authorities and cannot provide health advice regarding PFAS. Finding PFAS in the environment does not necessarily mean there is a human health risk.

Expert advice released by the Australian Government in June 2019 states that PFAS has not been shown to cause disease in humans and “probably has minimal impact on human health”. The 2019 enHealth Guidance Statements and a fact sheet providing more information on PFAS and human health effects by the Department of Health are available at: enHealth guidance | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care [external link].

The Australian Government’s PFAS Expert Health Panel recommends limiting exposure to PFAS as a precaution until further research into health effects is completed. The NSW Government adopts this precautionary approach to assess and limit exposure pathways to PFAS.

What are the health effects of PFAS?

The Commonwealth Department of Health’s enHealth Guidance Statement on PFAS is a reliable source of information about this. You can find this guide here: enHealth guidance | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care [external link]

The latest evidence provided by enHealth suggests that PFAS exposure has been associated with mildly elevated levels of cholesterol, effects on kidney function and effects on the levels of some hormones. However, these effects are small – generally within ranges seen in the general population.

According to enHealth PFAS has not been shown to cause disease in humans.

The enHealth guidance statement reinforces advice to avoid exposure to PFAS. While exposure to PFAS probably has minimal impact on human health, as a precaution, people living in PFAS contaminated areas should minimise their exposure until more evidence is gathered on possible health effects.

State and territory governments can also provide localised advice on how to minimise exposure to PFAS. For further information, please visit: Australian Government PFAS Taskforce | PFAS [external link].

What does a precautionary approach to PFAS mean?

Typically, this approach means assessing and minimising human exposure pathways, such as the consumption of groundwater and home grown produce where threshold levels of PFAS are present.

Skin contact, inhalation (including dust inhalation), and incidental ingestion of PFAS impacted soil are not considered primary exposure pathways to PFAS.

How does PFAS exposure occur?

PFAS exposure typically occurs through exposure pathways, which result in contaminants being absorbed into a person’s body. The Australian Government’s PFAS Expert Health Panel considers drinking contaminated groundwater and consumption of home grown produce (such as fruit, vegetables, and meat), where threshold levels of PFAS are present, to be the major human exposure pathways.

Skin contact, inhalation (including dust inhalation), and incidental ingestion of PFAS impacted soil are not considered primary exposure pathways to PFAS.

For more information about the health effects of PFAS, please contact NSW Health or the Commonwealth Department of Health.

Is PFAS still being used today?

Products containing PFAS are being phased out around the world. However due to their widespread use, and persistence in the environment, most people living in developed nations would have been exposed to PFAS from various sources and will have some level of PFOS and PFOA present in their bodies.

From 2007 FRNSW commenced phasing out historically used aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) which contained PFOS and PFOA as active ingredients.

The firefighting foam now used by FRNSW does not contain PFAS.

Why was PFAS used in firefighting foam?

Historically AFFF was used as a firefighting foam extensively worldwide, including within Australia. The use of AFFF by both civilian and military authorities commenced in the 1970s due to its effectiveness in extinguishing liquid fuel fires.

From 2007 FRNSW commenced phasing out its use of AFFF containing PFOS and PFOA as active ingredients.

The firefighting foam now used by FRNSW does not contain PFAS.

What kind of products contain PFAS?

PFAS compounds have been used in the manufacture of many common household and industrial goods, as well as historically in certain types of firefighting foams. Common household goods include, but are not limited to:

Non-stick cookware
Stain resistant products for furniture/carpets
Fast food packaging
Packaged food containers
Personal care products and makeup
Floor polishes
Paints
Pesticides and herbicides
Products used in photographic processes
Mist suppressant in the metal plating industry
Aviation hydraulic fluids
Mining and oil well surfactants.

How can I find out more information?

Further information about the FRNSW PFAS Environmental Program is available at: www.fire.nsw.gov.au/pfas.

Information on the NSW Government PFAS Investigation Program being undertaken by the NSW EPA is available at: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/contaminated-land/pfas-investigation-program [external link].

Information on PFAS health effects and exposure can be found on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website: https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-pfas.htm [external link].

The Commonwealth Department of Health’s enHealth Guidance Statement on PFAS is available here: enHealth guidance | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care [external link].