Australian Senate Inquiry Probes PFAS Contamination in Wreck Bay

Aboriginal community members testify about health, cultural, and environmental impacts of 'forever chemicals' linked to Department of Defence activities.

• The Senate inquiry is examining PFAS contamination in Wreck Bay, with community members alleging severe health impacts, including a suspected cancer cluster.
• PFAS chemicals, used in firefighting foams at nearby Defence sites, have been linked to contamination of water, soil, and sacred lands in the region.
• The Wreck Bay Aboriginal community has accused the government and chemical manufacturers of evading responsibility and failing to provide transparent health monitoring.
• The Department of Defence has acknowledged contamination and spent $850 million on remediation efforts but has not offered blood testing due to inconclusive health impact data.
• Calls for expanded bans on PFAS, independent health testing, and accountability for polluters are growing as the inquiry continues to hear testimony from affected communities.

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The Guardian Australian Broadcasting Corporation Brisbane Times