Australian limits on acceptable levels of these toxic chemicals in drinking water ‘orders of magnitude’ higher than in US

High levels of so-called forever chemicals have been found in surface and groundwater all over the world, with Australia one of several hotspots for toxic PFAS, a University of New South Wales study has found.

Researchers examined groundwater samples from around the world and found 69% had per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at levels above Canada’s safe drinking water criteria and 32% had levels higher than the US proposed drinking water hazard index.

They found Australia was one of several “hotspots” relative to the rest of the world, along with China, Europe and North America.

More than 14,000 human-made chemicals are PFAS, including PFHxS, PFOS and PFOA. They have been used in firefighting foams, insecticides, food packaging, non-stick frypans, clothing and cosmetics. They were created for their high heat tolerance, and water and oil repellent properties.