Australia Proposes Stricter Limits on PFAS in Drinking Water
The National Health and Medical Research Council's draft guidelines suggest significant reductions in allowable levels of harmful 'forever chemicals.'
Overview
- The draft guidelines recommend lowering the limit for PFOA from 560 ng/L to 200 ng/L and PFOS from 70 ng/L to 4 ng/L due to their potential health risks.
- PFAS, used in products like nonstick cookware and firefighting foams, are persistent environmental contaminants linked to health issues.
- The guidelines are based on animal studies and aim to prevent long-term health effects from lifetime exposure through drinking water.
- Public consultation on the draft guidelines is open until November 22, 2024, with final guidelines expected by April 2025.
- Australia's approach differs from the US, which seeks near-zero levels for carcinogenic compounds, while Australia uses a threshold model.