Should we be Concerned About ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Local Tap Water?

Following the revelation of high concentrations of FAS chemicals in the North Richmond water supply, we asked water scientist Associate Professor Ian Wright for his views on the findings and whether or not we should be concerned. This is what he had to say.

By Associate Professor Ian Wright

Last month Carrie Fellner, a journalist from Fairfax media (Sydney Morning Herald) reported that elevated concentrations of “forever chemicals” have been detected in several drinking water supplies around Australia. The news was greeted with widespread alarm. It is frightening for people to learn that their drinking water might contain harmful chemicals. 

What are these “forever” chemicals? They are a broad collection of man-made chemicals that include more than 10,000 different formulations based on a range of complex fluorine molecules. Two groups are often just known as ‘PFOS’ perfluorooctane sulfonate and ‘PFOA’ or perflurooctanic acid. They are classed together as ‘PFAS’ chemicals (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).

These chemicals are tough and have many very useful properties. They can resist heat, water and oil. And are also resistant to breaking down. This is why they are called ‘forever chemicals’ and they are almost certainly in my blood and your blood. They can made great products that are now very commonplace in our homes, our lives and our workplaces. For example, they are ingredients in many types of non-stick cookware, water-proofing sprays for clothes, stain- resistant treatments for furniture, carpets and car interiors. They are also in lots of food packaging, such as grease-proof paper. They have also contaminated many locations through their use in fire-fighting foams.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) are probably the global leaders raising concern about the health impacts of these chemicals. They warn that some of these chemicals can cause cancer and that there is “no safe level of exposure”. Earlier this year (April), the US (USEPA) sent shock waves through the water industry around the world when it announced much stricter concentration of PFOS/PFOA in drinking water. They are probably the toughest in the world and the new limits are now much stricter than the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines. The safe concentrations of the PFOS/PFOA in drinking water seem a minute amount. They are commonly measured in units ‘parts per trillion’. Think of one single drop of these chemicals dissolved in several Olympic pools of water!

These chemicals can still be harmful to people, to livestock and wildlife at such low concentrations. They can bioaccumulate in different organs in the body over time. Even if we ingest small amounts – the concentrations can build up. Increased exposure of people to these chemicals has been associated with several adverse health effects. These include higher cholesterol, lower birth weights, modified immune responses, kidney and testicular cancer.

Health and water authorities in Australia seem far less concerned than their US counterparts. The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines permit much larger concentrations of both PFOS and PFOA than the USEPA recommends in water supplies across the US. All city and town water supplies across Australia are subject to a wide range of physical and chemical water tests. The results are compared to Australian water guidelines.

The Sydney Morning Herald quoted some PFOS and PFOA water tests done at water supplies across Australia. The highest PFOA concentration was reported from a small water supply in western Sydney, where it was detected at 5.17–9.66 parts per trillion. This was Sydney Water’s North Richmond supply. This is the only site that Sydney Water regularly test for these ‘forever chemicals’. The most recent results from this supply are from January 2024. And whilst they comply with Australian guidelines, they would not meet the tougher USEPA guidelines. Australian and NSW Health and water authorities need to provide people with much more information on what is in their water supply. More regular testing and clear advice is needed.

Also, information should be provided on how these chemicals can be avoided. The lack of information in Australia is causing alarm. This is a global problem. If anyone wants more information – look up ‘USEPA and PFAS’. They have very helpful advice – and I hope Australian authorities do the same soon.