Per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are human-made chemicals commonly used to make products which resist heat, stains, grease and water. PFAS remain in the environment, including water and soil, for a long time.
There is currently limited evidence of human disease or other risks to health from low level PFAS exposure. For information about exposure to PFAS and the possible health effects, read the Australian Government PFAS fact sheet.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) leads a PFAS Investigation Program to review places where PFAS has been used in the past.
NSW Health works with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), enHealth and other national committees to develop guides on how to manage PFAS in the environment.
The Commonwealth Department of Health, Food Standards Australia New Zealand and the NHMRC have developed health-based guidance values for PFAS.
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines include health-based guideline values for PFAS in drinking water. These guidelines are currently being reviewed.
Water utilities are responsible to assess risks to drinking water, and to carry out monitoring where required. NSW Health works with water utilities to make sure they have assessed PFAS risks and are monitoring for PFAS where it is needed.
For further information, view NSW Health’s advice for water utilities.