Senate committee to probe cancer-linked ‘forever chemicals’

A newly announced senate committee will look into the threats posed to Australians by cancer-causing ‘forever chemicals’.

A senate committee will look into dangers posed to Australians by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or so-called “forever chemicals”.

PFAS are human-made chemicals that never break down found in everyday things, such as cleaning products and non-stick cookware.

Research into their effects on health is limited, but some chemicals have been linked to increased risk of testicular and kidney cancer.

Independent senator Lidia Thorpe, who will chair the Select Committee on PFAS, said on Thursday she secured support for the inquiry after negotiating with the government.

“These chemicals already affect every single person in the world, yet not enough is being done to manage our exposure to them and reduce the risks,” Senator Thorpe said.

“PFAS are the asbestos of the 21st century, just far more prevalent and far less understood.

“‘We’ve already seen worrying instances of cancer clusters with suspected links to PFAS chemicals. We cannot take them seriously enough.”

Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe will head a parliamentary committee into the harmful effects of so-called ‘forever chemicals’. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Among the committee’s focus areas are how people are exposed to forever chemicals and to what extent they harm health.

It will also probe the extent of their presence in the environment, food and consumer products and come up with regulatory recommendations.

The committee comes after Sydney’s water authority confirmed it detected PFAS across the city’s water catchments.

“I am glad to have established this committee and inquiry, which will give us a clearer understanding of these chemicals, and how we can better keep people safe from them,” Senator Thorpe said.

“This committee has the opportunity to drive change that will protect and improve the health of every single person, and the health of our waterways and country.”

Originally published as Senate committee to probe cancer-linked ‘forever chemicals’