In a move to bolster public health protections, Australia is poised to tighten the acceptable levels of certain PFAS chemicals in the nation’s drinking water. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) unveiled draft guidelines on Monday that propose stricter limits on these pervasive “forever chemicals.”
Slashing PFAS Limits
The new proposals seek to dramatically reduce the allowable concentrations of two notorious PFAS compounds: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). PFOA, a key ingredient in Teflon, could see its limit plummet from 560 ng/L to a mere 200 ng/L. The story is even more stark for PFOS, once used in Scotchgard fabric protector. Its threshold might nosedive from 70 ng/L to a scant 4 ng/L.
What’s driving these aggressive cuts? Mounting evidence of the cancer-causing potential of PFOA and worrisome impacts of PFOS on bone marrow health. In fact, the International Agency for Research on Cancer recently branded PFOA as an unequivocal human carcinogen, on par with alcohol and outdoor air pollution. PFOS earned the dubious distinction of “possible” cancer-causer.
New Kids on the Chemical Block
But the overhaul doesn’t stop there. The NHMRC is also recommending inaugural limits for two additional PFAS chemicals: PFHxS at 30 ng/L and PFBS at 1000 ng/L. The latter has been ushered in to replace PFOS in Scotchgard formulations since 2023. Both are suspected of wreaking havoc on thyroid function.
We currently don’t believe there are human studies of sufficient quality to guide us in developing these numbers.
– Prof Steve Wesselingh, NHMRC chief executive
So how did the council arrive at these magic numbers? Animal studies were the guiding light, according to NHMRC chief Prof Steve Wesselingh. The lack of robust human data forced regulators to extrapolate from our furry friends.
Australia vs. The World
While the proposed PFOS limit would harmonize with US standards, Australia seems content to chart its own course on PFOA. The Land Down Under’s 200 ng/L ceiling would still tower over America’s near-zero tolerance approach to the carcinogen in drinking water.
This divergence boils down to differing regulatory philosophies. The US shoots for the moon, striving to eradicate all traces of cancer-linked chemicals. Australia, in contrast, embraces a “threshold model.” The theory goes that if concentrations stay below a critical tipping point, the health hazards evaporate.
If we get below that threshold level, we believe that there is no risk of that substance causing the problem identified, whether they be thyroid problems, bone marrow problems or cancer.
– Dr David Cunliffe, principal water quality advisor, SA health department
Navigating a Sea of PFAS
With thousands of PFAS chemicals now in circulation, the task of regulating each individually is Herculean. The vast majority lack even rudimentary toxicity data. This dearth of knowledge torpedoed the NHMRC’s initial plan to institute a single combined limit for the entire motley crew of compounds.
There are very large numbers of PFAS, and we don’t have toxicological information for the great majority of them. We’ve taken this path of producing individual guideline values for those PFAS where there is data available.
– Dr Daniel Deere, water and health consultant, Water Futures
Keeping Calm and Sipping On
For now, experts are urging Australians to keep the faith in their taps. Dr Daniel Deere, a water maestro at Water Futures, assured that the nation’s public drinking water remains largely unsullied by PFAS. Only those living in hot spots specifically flagged by authorities need fret.
And before you rush out to stockpile bottled water or fancy filters, take heed. According to Deere, these PFAS-evading tactics only make sense if your local water mandarins give the official word. Absent that red alert, Australia’s freshly minted drinking water guidelines should keep the PFAS boogeyman at bay.
Australians can continue to feel confidence that the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines incorporate the latest and most robust science to underpin drinking water safety.
– Prof Stuart Khan, head of the School of Civil Engineering, University of Sydney
The Road Ahead
The NHMRC’s draft guidelines, last updated in 2018, are now open for public feedback until November 22. This consultative approach ensures that the voice of the people shapes the final rulebook on these pervasive pollutants.
As we await the verdict, one thing is crystal clear: Australia is poised to get much tougher on PFAS in our drinking water. The invisible chemical foes that once slipped by unnoticed will soon have nowhere to hide. In this high-stakes game of toxic whack-a-mole, the proposed new limits are a resounding win for public health.
