Sydney's water filtration plants and platypus livers across New South Wales have been found contaminated with PFAS chemicals, sparking concerns over their widespread environmental impact.
Xanthe Gregory reports for ABC News.
In short:
- PFAS, linked to cancer, was found in Sydney's water filtration plants, with levels deemed unsafe in the US.
- Australian guidelines allow some PFAS exposure in drinking water, unlike stricter US standards.
- An Australian-first study found PFAS in the livers of deceased platypuses from various NSW rivers.
Key quote:
“PFOS contamination is much more widespread than what we know.”
— Katherine Warwick, Western Sydney University researcher
Why this matters:
PFAS chemicals, often called "forever chemicals," persist in the environment, posing significant health risks. Their presence in wildlife and water systems may indicate broader contamination affecting human health.
Related EHN coverage:
