The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (AAHMS) has today released a policy statement calling for the establishment of a National Human Biomonitoring Program to track Australians’ exposure to chemical contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – a group of human-made “forever chemicals”.
“PFAS are group of chemicals ubiquitously present in the environment – including in drinking water, the food supply, and household products,” said Professor Peter Sly AO FAHMS, one of the experts leading the Academy’s work.
The statement builds on the Academy’s December 2024 submission to the Australian Senate Inquiry into PFAS, which recommended:
- A population-wide National Human Biomonitoring Program to monitor Australians’ bioaccumulation of PFAS and other chemical contaminants.
- An immediate interim program monitoring PFAS levels in pregnant women.
“Despite having some of the highest PFAS exposure levels globally, Australia stands out among comparable nations for not operating a population-level human biomonitoring program,” said Professor Sly. “Without this, we cannot properly understand exposure risks, assess potential health impacts, or design evidence-based protections should they be needed.”
A missed opportunity in NSW
The Academy also expressed concern that the recent NSW Government report into PFAS did not address the risks posed by complex mixtures of chemicals, instead of looking only at PFAS in isolation.
“PFAS aren’t the whole story – they’re just one component of the complex chemical mixtures to which we are exposed – the potential risks of which are not well understood.”
“People are rarely exposed to a single chemical in isolation, and PFAS are just one group of many chemical contaminants that build up in the human body. These chemical mixtures can interact in ways that are not well understood.” said Professor Sly AO FAHMS, who presented AAHMS’s evidence to the Senate Inquiry.
“The European Union has recognised this since 2024, recommending that chemical mixture effects be considered in regulation. Australia must not fall behind,” said Professor Peter Sly.
Call for national leadership
The Academy is urging the Federal Government to take national leadership, and embed mixture analysis into policy and regulation.
The Federal Government must ensure that its response to PFAS contamination includes robust national human biomonitoring. Data collected must not only cover single exposures but also account for chemical mixtures, in line with international best practice.
“Anything less risks leaving major gaps in our understanding of the health risks of PFAS and other chemical contaminants, and undermines Australia’s ability to protect its communities,” Professor Sly said.
The Academy will continue working with government, parliament, stakeholders and communities to advance these recommendations and ensure that Australia’s policy response reflects the best available evidence.
Academy media contact: Khaled Chakli | [email protected] | 0423 099 568