An independent expert panel appointed by the Department of Health has determined that exposure to the man-made chemical used in non-stick cookware, firefighting foam and carpet stain protection, PFAS (PolyFluoroAlkyl Substances) was not likely to be a threat to human health.
The panel concluded there was mostly limited, or in some cases no evidence, that human exposure to PFAS was linked to human disease.
“No current evidence suggests an increase in overall cancer risk,” the panel said.
“Much of the evidence available is weak and inconsistent and decisions to minimise exposure to PFAS chemicals should be largely based on their known ability to persist and accumulate in the body.”
It noted that the chemicals were very stable and did not break down in the environment. They could persist for a long time both in the environment and in humans.
Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Brendan Murphy said the panel was established in October 2017 and comprised experts in the fields of environmental health, toxicology, epidemiology and public health.
Professor Murphy said the report had been provided to the National Health and Medical Research Council.
“The panel’s findings support the Environmental Health Standing Committee’s advice that there is no consistent evidence that exposure to PFAS causes adverse human health effects,” Professor Murphy said.
“However, given the chemicals continue to persist in humans and the environment, exposure to them should be minimised.”
