The Australian Government has published a PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) website to serve as a central portal of authoritative information on PFAS.
The PFAS website provides a range of guidance material that describes how government bodies and other responsible entities should respond to PFAS contamination. The website also provides links to PFAS information pages on Commonwealth and state/territory government agency websites, as well as links to relevant international sites.
PFAS are a group of manufactured chemicals that have been widely used globally, since the 1950s, in the manufacture of household and industrial products that resist heat, stains, grease and water and in other specialised applications. The release of PFAS into the environment has become a concern because these chemicals do not break down easily by any natural process, so they can persist in humans, animals and the environment. Trace levels of PFAS can be found in soil, groundwater and surface water almost everywhere, however higher concentrations may be found around landfill sites, sewage treatment plants, airports, fire-fighting training grounds, and some industrial areas.
It is important that all levels of government adopt a consistent approach to responding to PFAS contamination. The PFAS website also facilitates access to national guidance on PFAS management and other relevant information.
Find out more about PFAS at this link.