PFAS remediation and health: first report

TODAY the PFAS Sub-committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) tabled the first report of its inquiry into PFAS remediation in and around Defence bases.

The chair of the PFAS Sub-committee the Dr John McVeigh MP said that committee members have made a commitment to keep the public informed about Defence’s progress under its National PFAS Investigation and Management Program, while research continues to better understand the nature and impacts of PFAS substances.

This report presents key information from the Department of Defence about its ongoing  evaluation and remediation of per-and poly-fluoroalkyl (PFAS) contamination at 28 Defence sites, and also updated advice about research into the health impacts of PFAS from the Australian National University’s PFAS Health Study, at the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health.

"The sub-committee welcomed frank advice from Defence— about what it is getting right in its PFAS remediation program; as well as the nature of ongoing research. The Department also outlined its ongoing communication strategy in communities and online, to keep the public up to date about progress in this work," Dr McVeigh said.

The ANU’s PFAS Health Study provided a progress report on work commissioned by the Department of Health. The Committee heard that the Health study is in a vital phase of evidence gathering and analysis. The data collected will allow for a longitudinal evaluation of any potential PFAS health impacts including any mental health issues. It will be local and verifiable, based on blood samples and surveys of people living in affected communities, of past residents, and of three unaffected communities for comparison.

"The information in this first report provides a solid foundation for further review when the inquiry proceeds in the new year," Dr McVeigh said. "In particular, the sub-committee will seek further clarification from responsible agencies about the relationship between health advice, food safety and environmental impacts which could remain of concern in the community."

The PFAS inquiry’s First report is now available on the inquiry website.

Information about the PFAS Sub-committee’s ongoing scrutiny program, and forthcoming public hearings, will be available on the JSCFADT committee website in 2020.

ends