Destroying ‘Forever Chemicals’

Start Date: Mid 2024

Timeframe: 10 to 12 years

Budget: $11 billion |

Start Date: Mid 2024 Timeframe: 10 to 12 years Budget: $11 billion |

PFASs (per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances) are manufactured chemicals that have been used widely in a range of products and applications. Some examples include fire fighting foams, non-stick cookware, furniture and carpet stain protection and food packaging.

To Do:

```
Soil decontamination and treatment
```
```
Water treatment
```
```
Air quality monitoring
```

Health and medical services to locally affected communities

```
Training and education
```
```
Government advocacy
```

There are many different types of PFASs. The biggest environmental concern about these chemicals is that they do not break down and can travel long distances in water and air currents. They have been shown to be widespread global contaminants and many countries are now monitoring or restricting their use.

The global concern has seen industry phase out some PFASs from use in certain consumer products. Some compounds are currently imported into Australia including those used in the local manufacture of non-stick cookware.

These chemicals accumulate in the animals, such as fish, significantly increasing in the blood and organs of animals higher up in the food chain. They are readily absorbed through the gut and are not broken down in the body. These chemicals are very slowly eliminated by the body.

Studies have shown that the general public of Australia have small amounts of PFAS chemicals in there blood. They can be found in urine and breast milk.

Make a Difference!