‘Forever chemicals’ are everywhere. Here’s how to avoid them

We can’t see them, but forever chemicals are everywhere. We eat them, inhale them, slather them on our skin, wear them, cook with them, sit and play on them. Inevitably, they end up in our water supply, and we drink them too.

When the Biden administration recently dramatically lowered the safe limits of PFAS, better known as forever chemicals, in drinking water, the implications rippled across the world’s waters: the levels of these toxic chemicals allowed in Australian tap water are now 140 times the US rate.

Australian drinking water is safe, but what can you do if you’re concerned about PFAS levels?Credit: Dionne Gain

A new study by UNSW researchers, looking at PFAS levels in groundwater water samples found high concentrations in Australia, with many locations above recommended drinking water levels.

We are stuck with forever chemicals forever, so what do we do about them? What is the best way to minimise our exposure?

A wicked problem with no easy solution

“This is a wicked problem,” says Professor Stuart Khan, the head of School of Civil Engineering at the University of Sydney. “The only easy solution would have been not to have caused the problem in the first place.”

Short of that, the next best thing is to learn from the mistake, not to repeat it, and for the government to lower the PFAS limits in the water supply and look at banning its use in consumer products and food packaging.

“Only then will this truly protect the Australian public and future generations from the known harms of PFAS,” argues Dr Nicholas Chartres, who was part of a 2022 panel providing guidance on PFAS exposure, testing and clinical care in the US.

But beyond government action to limit further damage and introduce tighter regulations (they are currently reviewing the Australian guidelines), there are ways we can reduce our exposure.

Drinking water is a source of PFAS exposure

There is evidence water filters can be effective at removing some PFAS. Reverse osmosis filters are the most effective, but remain an imperfect solution. They are expensive, energy intensive, waste water and don’t remove PFAS. Rather, they separate the clean water from the contaminant, which then ends up back in the waste water system.

Dual-stage filters and jug filters with activated carbon will also remove some PFAS, although they become less effective over time as more contaminants get absorbed onto the filter. Filters under the sink and under taps should be flushed for at least 10 seconds before use to remove build up of bacteria trapped by the filter.

Replacing the filter regularly also helps, but means more disposable rubbish in the environment, not to mention the expense.

“The people who are at most risk of disease are often low income, communities of colour, fence-line communities and workers that are unable to afford these types of interventions,” Chartres says.

SMH reporter Carrie Fellner talking to Uncle Jack Hampton from Wreck Bay, who has lost many friends to heart attacks or cancer.Credit: Stan

Generally speaking, the water from the tap is safe to drink in Australia, the experts assure, and it is safer than plastic bottled water, which can also contain PFAS.

To remove much of the PFAS, along with other contaminants, before it touches our lips, it is filtered at “pretty high-tech treatment plants,” says Daniel Gilbert, a project engineer at the UNSW Water Research Laboratory, who does not personally use a filter.

“If you know you’ve got contaminated water, activated carbon is a great way to treat it, but if you don’t need it, to me, it’s not necessary,” says Khan. “I feel comfortable that [the water utilities] do a good job.”

Water isn’t the only source of PFAS exposure

Some research suggests only about 20 per cent of our exposure to PFAS comes from drinking water. They are also in our kitchens, our clothes, our furniture, cosmetics, sunscreens, shampoos, carpets, furniture, food packaging, menstrual products, dental products and even in artificial turf. We can’t avoid them, but for people who are concerned, there are ways to have less PFAS in our daily lives.

“PFOA-free” and “Teflon-free” might make good marketing slogans (along with other unregulated phrases like “eco-friendly”, “green” and “safe”) but they are over two of thousands of types of PFAS. Opt instead for “PFAS-free” or replace your nonstick pan with cast iron pans.

“They have small amounts of silicone but are better,” says Chartres. Opt for stainless steel, glass and ceramic for all other cook-wear and stainless-steel or wooden utensils.

Eat fresh, un-packaged food as much as you can, choose glass canisters over plastic, opt for PFAS-free baking paper and avoid reheating food in plastic containers, as the chemicals can leach into the food.

People are encouraged to use an umbrella and not raincoats in wet weather to avoid so-called “forever chemicals.”Credit: Janie Barrett

As hard as it can be, minimise the plastic toys you give your children, and use an umbrella instead of a raincoat (PFAS is commonly used to make clothing as well as bedding, carpets and couches waterproof or stain-proof.)

PFAS can be used in dental floss, to help it glide between the teeth, so look for nylon or silk dental floss instead.

Finally, PFAS helps to make cosmetics and personal care products “long-lasting” and “waterproof”, and give them a smooth texture or make them easier to apply. To avoid sunscreens, cosmetics and personal care products with PFAS, look out for “PTFE”, “PAP” (polyfluoroalkyl phosphate esters) or “fluro” in the ingredients list.

Revealed: How To Poison A Planet now streaming, only on Stan.

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