Australia urged to review drinking water standards due to dangerous chemicals.

A recent discovery of high levels of forever chemicals, also known as PFAS and PFOA, in some catchments of Brisbane's drinking water has sparked concern among the public. An advocate has called for Australia to reassess its guidelines for these chemicals, which are believed to have carcinogenic properties.

According to the World Health Organisation, high concentrations of PFOA can cause cancer. However, current Australian guidelines for drinking water allow for 560 parts per trillion of PFOA, which is significantly higher than the recommended limit of less than four parts per trillion set by the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States. This has raised questions about the safety of Australia's drinking water and the need for stricter guidelines.

To ease the public's worries, South East Queensland Water has reassured that the water is safe to drink and meets Australian guidelines. However, these guidelines differ from international standards, causing concern among experts and advocates. PFAS and PFOA are synthetic substances found in various products such as pesticides and firefighting foam, making their presence in the water supply a pressing issue.

Last year, testing by SEQ water at Mt Crosby Westbank, the main source of Brisbane's drinking water, revealed PFOA levels of 36 parts per trillion. This year, the levels have decreased to 23 parts per trillion. While these levels may comply with Australian guidelines, they are still significantly higher than the recommended levels in the US.

Former NSW Australian of the Year and founder of the Stop PFAS Action Group, Jon Dee, expressed concern over the difference in safety levels between Australia and the US. He stated that the PFOA levels in Brisbane's drinking water are seven times higher than what is considered legally safe in America. He emphasized the need for Australia to match the safety standards of the US in order to protect its citizens from the harmful effects of these chemicals in drinking water.

SEQ Water's general manager, Matt McCahon, reiterated that the water is safe to drink and complies with Australian guidelines. He also mentioned that while the guidelines for PFOA in drinking water are currently being revised in Australia, the expected limit of 200 parts per trillion is still 50 times higher than the US limit. This has raised concerns about the adequacy of Australia's guidelines and the need for stricter regulations.

In light of this issue, the advocate has urged Australia to reassess its guidelines for forever chemicals and align them with the safety standards of the US. This can help ensure the safety of the public and prevent any potential health risks caused by these chemicals in drinking water. The 9NEWS app is available for those who wish to stay updated on the latest news, including developments on this issue. Download it now from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

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