Senate inquiry delivers 47 recommendations to strengthen PFAS risks

An inquiry into so-called “forever chemicals” has called on the Australian government to ban PFAS now, with it being described as the “asbestos of the 21st century”.

A Senate select committee handed down its final report on Wednesday, making 47 recommendations following a 15-month inquiry into PFAS.

PFAS is a class of chemicals known as perfluorinated chemicals, perfluorochemicals or ‘perfluoroalkyls and are often referred to as forever chemicals because they can take thousands of years to breakdown in the environment.

PFAS chemicals were commonly used in household and industrial products – including fire fighting foam, scotch guard and non-stick cookware – and have contaminated the environment and waterways across the globe.

The committee called on the federal government to introduce legislation that would give effect to ban PFAS chemicals and align with other countries.

Independent senator Lidia Thorpe chaired the inquiry and said PFAS chemicals were the asbestos of the 21st century.

“The committee reached agreement on a large number of recommendations, but as chair I’ve provided additional comments because stronger action is urgently needed,” she said.

“All PFAS chemicals should be banned, not phased out one at a time.

“Only genuinely essential uses should remain, assessed independently, not by the chemical industry.

“This report is a warning and cannot be allowed to gather dust like so many others.”

Among the recommendations, it suggested the government subsidise PFAS blood testing, health and cancer screening, and mental health support for people living in areas with high levels of PFAS exposure, including firefighters and residents near heavily contaminated sites.

“The science is clear: PFAS are toxic and linked to immune, reproductive and cancer risks,” Senator Thorpe said.

“People are getting sick but the problem is still being minimised – that has to stop. These chemicals are the asbestos of the 21st century.”

It also recommended a fund be established for state and a taskforce to remediate severely contaminated sites and a national environmental monitoring program to track contamination levels in the environment, waterways and wildlife.

It also suggested fast-tracking the deployment of PFAS-free firefighting foams.