Understanding PFAS: The Hidden Threat in Our Environment - Pest Control Port Macquarie
- Clint Mcmaus
- Aug 30
- 11 min read
Updated: Sep 26
Introduction to PFAS and Pesticides
Current AVMA-approved pesticides have evolved significantly from harmful chemicals like DDT. Thanks to increased understanding and government regulations, many of the most persistent and dangerous pesticides have been banned. Permits are now required for their use in exceptional circumstances. However, this does not fully apply to PFAS.
Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used since the 1950s. They are designed to make products water-, stain-, and grease-resistant. The most studied members of this group are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). These chemicals were commonly found in non-stick cookware, firefighting foams, and various industrial processes.
The carbon-fluorine bond is one of the strongest in organic chemistry. As a result, PFAS do not easily degrade. They persist in the environment and human bodies for decades. These "forever chemicals" have been detected in drinking water, soils, wildlife, and people around the globe.
What are PFOA and PFAS?
PFAS is a collective term for a large class of man-made chemicals. In these substances, fluorine atoms replace hydrogen atoms on an alkyl (carbon) chain. Perfluoro compounds like PFOA and PFOS have all hydrogens replaced by fluorine, making them extremely stable and lipophobic. On the other hand, polyfluoro compounds (including many next-generation PFAS) retain at least one hydrogen or other atom, making them more chemically reactive. Long-chain PFAS, such as perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids and perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids with six or more carbons, bioaccumulate more readily and pose greater health risks.
From Teflon to GenX: Non-Stick's Toxic Trail
Teflon™ is not a substance itself but a brand name for a coating made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). PTFE is a plastic sprayed and baked onto pans to create a non-stick, waterproof, and non-reactive surface. Early Teflon production relied on PFOA as a processing aid, leading to traces found in cookware. PFOA is linked to serious health issues, including chronic kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid disorders, testicular cancers, low birth weight, and infertility. A 1999 study found PFOA in the blood of 98% of Americans.
The Rise of PTFE Alternatives and New PFAS
Public pressure has forced manufacturers to phase out PFOA in Europe by 2008 and in the United States by 2015. New non-stick products use coatings such as PEEK (polyether ether ketone), ceramic with silicon polymers, or next-generation PFAS like GenX and other short-chain fluoropolymers. These alternatives are marketed as "PFOA-free," yet they still rely on PFAS chemistry. GenX (hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid) and similar chemicals are more mobile, and research suggests they may harm the liver. Thus, removing PFOA has not solved the problem; it has merely shifted the burden to replacement PFAS, whose health effects are less studied but increasingly concerning.
PFAS Exposure Through Everyday Items
PFAS are not limited to cookware. They are also used in food packaging, waterproof clothing, stain-resistant carpets, dental floss, and cosmetics. San Francisco's environment department notes that PFAS accumulate in the environment and have been linked to abnormal thyroid and hormone function, reduced immune response, and cancer. Because these chemicals do not break down, they cycle through air, water, soil, and living organisms, contaminating drinking water, farmland, and the global food web. Experts estimate that 45% of U.S. tap water contains PFAS, and up to 97% of Americans have PFAS in their blood.
Firefighting Foams and Military Bases
One of the most notorious uses of PFAS is in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), which has been standard in firefighting training and at airports and military bases since the 1960s. The U.S. Department of Defense banned procurement of foams containing more than one part per billion PFAS in 2023. However, decades of use have left a toxic legacy.
In Newcastle, New South Wales, PFAS from firefighting foam used at RAAF Base Williamtown contaminated groundwater and flowed into the Campvale Canal and Grahamstown Dam, which supplies up to half the region's drinking water. Friends of the Earth Australia reports that PFAS detections in Hunter Water's network between 2016 and 2024 generally ranged between 2–8 ng/L for PFOS and PFHxS, with a 6:2 FTS detection of 122 ng/L at Branxton in 2016 and a PFOA detection of 18 ng/L at Medowie in 2017.
Newcastle's Experience: A Decade of Contamination
Residents near Williamtown have faced some of the highest PFAS levels in Australia. Following media reports in 2015–2017, Hunter Water connected 350 properties at Williamtown, Salt Ash, and Fullerton Cove to reticulated (piped) water to reduce exposure. Monitoring data show that PFAS detections have dropped since the early years but remain present. PFAS has also been detected at Grahamstown Dam, Campvale Canal, and the Tomago Sandbeds, which are key sources of the region's drinking water. The highest average PFAS levels in the 2016–2017 data occurred at Warners Bay, where detections represented about one-third of the proposed 2025 guideline for PFOS.
Port Macquarie: Testing Reveals Low Levels
In contrast, independent testing by NSW Health in October 2024 found PFAS levels in the Port Macquarie, Camden Haven, Wauchope, Telegraph Point, Long Flat, and Comboyne water supply systems below detection limits (0.0001 µg/L for PFOS/PFHxS/PFOA and 0.0005 µg/L for PFBS).
The proposed Australian guideline limits are 0.004 µg/L for PFOS, 0.03 µg/L for PFHxS, 0.2 µg/L for PFOA, and 1 µg/L for PFBS. Port Macquarie Hastings Council notes that PFAS chemicals have been used in products like non-stick cookware and firefighting foam since the 1950s. They are called "forever chemicals" because they break down very slowly. This shows that even in areas with minimal industrial activity, residents are concerned about PFAS and demand transparent testing.
Sydney's Emerging PFAS Picture
A 2025 UNSW analysis of 32 tap water and ten bottled water samples found at least 31 PFAS chemicals in Sydney's drinking water. This included 21 not previously recorded in Australian tap water and one detected globally for the first time.
The study flagged two newly detected compounds – 6:2 diPAP and 3:3 FTCA – which are breakdown products of firefighting foams and consumer products. Researchers found PFOS in some North Richmond samples at six parts per trillion (ppt), below Australia's 8 ppt guideline but above the US EPA's 4 ppt advisory limit. The most abundant PFAS in Sydney's water was PFBA, a short-chain breakdown product used as a replacement for regulated PFAS. It is highly mobile and persistent, and early studies suggest possible effects on liver, thyroid, and developmental health.
PFAS in Sydney Biosolids
PFAS contamination is not limited to drinking water; it is also found in sewage sludge used as fertilizer. An ABC investigation revealed that Sydney Water's risk assessment detected PFOS in biosolids from all 21 of its wastewater treatment plants between 2018 and 2021. High concentrations were measured at Richmond, Riverstone, and Quakers Hill plants. PFOA, considered carcinogenic, was found at several plants in 2018 and 2020.
The report noted that there are no national limits for PFAS in biosolids. Some concentrations would exceed proposed thresholds in the National Environmental Management Plan. PFOS-contaminated biosolids applied to farmland could leach into rivers like the Belubula and contaminate soil, livestock, and food. This highlights the need for regulation of waste management to prevent PFAS from cycling back into the food chain.
PFAS, Fertility, and Endocrine Disruption
Scientific evidence shows that PFAS act as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and negatively affect reproductive health. A 2024 review summarises that PFAS exposure occurs through skin contact, drinking water, air, and diet. Replacement PFAS continue to pollute. Toxicological studies indicate that PFAS interfere with the reproductive axis and sex hormone regulation. They contribute to conditions such as polycystic ovaries, premature ovarian failure, endometriosis, reproductive system tumours, pregnancy complications, and adverse birth outcomes. The review emphasises that long-chain PFAS like PFOA and PFOS are more bioaccumulative and are restricted by the Stockholm Convention due to their health risks.
Human Evidence of Reproductive Harm
In women undergoing in-vitro fertilisation, higher PFOA exposure has been associated with fewer retrieved oocytes and poorer embryo quality. Observational studies found that elevated levels of PFOS and PFOA in blood corresponded with longer time-to-pregnancy and increased odds of infertility. PFAS have also been detected in follicular fluid, where they are linked to endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome. Animal studies show that prenatal PFAS exposure can cause fetal mortality and lower birth weights, suggesting transgenerational effects.
Other Health Effects: Cancer, Immunity, and Metabolic Disorders
The Environmental Working Group notes that PFOA is a known carcinogen. PFOS and GenX show evidence of carcinogenic potential. Exposure to PFAS is linked to renal and testicular cancers, liver and thyroid problems, weakened vaccine response, abnormal fetal development, and immune suppression. PFAS can disrupt thyroid hormones and have been associated with obesity, diabetes, and fertility problems in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Children and developing fetuses are particularly vulnerable because PFAS can interfere with organ development and long-term health.
Dioxins: Another Toxic Legacy
PFAS are not the only persistent pollutants implicated in endocrine disruption and fertility problems. Dioxins are a group of chemically related compounds formed as by-products of industrial processes and waste incineration. They belong to the "dirty dozen" persistent organic pollutants. The most toxic dioxin, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), has a half-life of 7–11 years in human fat tissue. It builds up in meat, dairy, fish, and shellfish. Dioxins are highly toxic and can cause reproductive and developmental problems. They damage the immune system, interfere with hormones, and cause cancer. Long-term exposure impairs the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems, leading to infertility and premature ovarian failure.
Dioxins and Reproductive Health
A 2024 review on dioxins in female mammals highlights that exposure to TCDD disrupts ovarian function. This can cause infertility, irregular estrous cycles, endometriosis, and premature ovarian failure. The review notes that there are 75 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and 135 polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), with TCDD being the most toxic congener. Even low concentrations of dioxins in animal studies cause hepatotoxicity, immune suppression, and reproductive toxicity. This underscores the cumulative burden of persistent organic pollutants on reproductive health.
Global Contamination and Illicit Dumping
PFAS and dioxins are ubiquitous and can travel long distances via air and water currents. Industrial dumping of PFAS into rivers has contaminated ecosystems worldwide. There are more than 5,000 documented PFAS contamination sites in U.S. water systems. The Guardian reports that DuPont's Washington Works plant has continued to discharge PFAS above permitted levels into the Ohio River, even after paying hundreds of millions in damages for past pollution. Residents near the plant have elevated incidences of kidney and testicular cancers, thyroid disease, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.
American Towns on the Frontline
In Parkersburg, West Virginia, exposure to PFOA from a nearby chemical plant led to a landmark class-action suit and the C8 Science Panel study of 70,000 people. This study linked PFOA to cancers, thyroid disease, and autoimmune disorders. In New Mexico, a dairy farmer was forced to euthanize 3,600 cows after PFAS-contaminated firefighting foam from a nearby Air Force base tainted his groundwater and milk supply. The U.S. Department of Defense has notified 3,911 farms at risk of PFAS contamination. Environmental advocates estimate that nearly 20 million acres of U.S. farmland receive sewage sludge fertilizer that can contain PFAS. Maine established a US$65 million fund to support affected farmers and help them filter water.
PFAS in the Food Web
PFAS accumulation is not limited to water; it moves through the food chain. PFAS-contaminated sludge applied to farmland can be absorbed by crops, eaten by livestock, and end up in milk and meat, as seen in Maine and New Mexico. In Sydney, biosolid-related PFAS threatens rivers and grazing land. The Environmental Working Group warns that PFAS contamination is present even in remote regions, demonstrating the chemicals' global mobility and persistence. Because PFAS accumulate in fat and blood, they biomagnify up the food chain. This means predators and humans receive higher doses over time.
Regulatory Progress and Gaps
In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set national drinking water standards for six PFAS (PFOA, PFOS, GenX, PFNA, PFHxS, and PFBS). They require water systems to monitor and remove excess PFAS by 2029. Europe is moving toward regulating PFAS as a class and setting combined limits. Australia's proposed 2025 guidelines will lower allowable PFOS levels to 4 ng/L, far below the current 70 ng/L combined PFOS+PFHxS guideline. Yet, there are still no national limits for PFAS in biosolids, and replacement chemicals like GenX remain largely unregulated.
Avoiding PFAS in Daily Life
Consumers can reduce PFAS exposure by choosing stainless steel or cast-iron cookware instead of PFAS-coated non-stick pans. Using natural fabrics, avoiding stain-resistant treatments, and checking product labels for PFAS can also help. When cooking with PTFE pans, avoid heating them above 300 °C (570 °F). High temperatures can cause PTFE to decompose and release fumes that trigger polymer fume fever. While modern Teflon coatings are PFOA-free, the potential health risks of replacement PFAS mean caution is still warranted.
Local Service Area: Why Pest Control and PFAS Information Matters to Sydney and Port Macquarie
For residents of Sydney and Port Macquarie, understanding more about pest control as well as PFAS is essential to protecting community health and the environment. Sydney's discovery of 31 different PFAS in tap water and high PFOS levels in biosolids underscores the need for broader monitoring. Newcastle's long-running contamination shows how firefighting foam at air bases can pollute aquifers and drinking water supplies. Port Macquarie currently reports PFAS levels below detection limits, but vigilance is necessary, especially as new PFAS like 6:2 diPAP are identified in other regions.
Conclusion: Breaking the Cycle
PFAS and dioxins exemplify how synthetic chemicals designed for convenience can create lasting harm when production and disposal are poorly regulated. These substances persist in our water, soil, and bodies. They disrupt hormones, harm fertility, and contribute to cancers, immune problems, and metabolic disorders. Contamination from firefighting foam in Newcastle, biosolids in Sydney, and industrial discharges in the United States shows that no community is immune from the reach of "forever chemicals." Stronger regulations, corporate accountability, safer alternatives, and community awareness are essential to break the cycle and protect future generations.
References
Friends of the Earth Australia – PFAS in water supply network Newcastle region, NSW (March 2025)
Friends of the Earth Australia – Sydney Water and PFAS Chemicals
Port Macquarie Hastings Council – Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
González-Alvarez, M.E.; Antwi-Boasiako, C.; Keating, A.F. Effects of Per- and Polyfluoroalkylated Substances on Female Reproduction. Toxics 2024, 12, 455.
Rickard, B. P., Rizvi, I., & Fenton, S. E. (2022). Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and female reproductive outcomes. Toxicology, 465, 153031.
WHO Fact Sheet – Dioxins and their effects on human health (2023)
Dioxins review – Impact of dioxins on reproductive health (2024)
EESI Issue Brief – The State of PFAS Forever Chemicals in America (2024)
New Lede – Farmers facing PFAS pollution struggle for solutions
Additional Australian References:
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