PFAS Senate Select Committee calls on Government to develop AAHMS-recommended national biomonitoring program

The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences welcomes the Senate Select Committee on PFAS’ publication of the Final Report of their Inquiry into the extent, regulation and management of PFAS.

The Committee has recommended that the Australian Government consult the Academy to develop the human biomonitoring program that we proposed and outlined evidence for in our December 2024 inquiry submission and August 2025 position statement.

Professor Louise Baur AM PresAHMS, President of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences, said: “Ongoing uncertainty around the potential health effects of PFAS “forever chemicals” is contributing to public anxiety in Australia, particularly among communities facing higher exposure levels.”

Professor Baur continued: “Developing a human biomonitoring program is essential to undertaking the research needed to understand the impacts of PFAS exposure across Australian communities.”

“As outlined by AAHMS and noted by the Committee, Australia’s national biomonitoring program should incorporate a focus on monitoring exposure levels for potentially vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women, as well as other communities at risk of elevated exposure” concluded Professor Baur.

The Academy stands ready to work closely with the Australian Government and other bodies to realise the recommendations presented by the Committee – including Recommendation 4:

“The committee recommends that the Australian Government consults with the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences and other relevant stakeholders on designs for a national, longitudinal chemicals biomonitoring program (similar to existing programs in the United States, South Korea, Japan, and several European countries) and associated longitudinal PFAS health research projects.”

Developing a human biomonitoring program will bring Australia in line with comparable nations, and enable the kind of long-term, population-level research urgently needed to understand potential health and environmental impacts of PFAS and other chemical contaminants.

If adopted, the Committee’s additional recommendation (Recommendation 46) that the Australian Government work with the Academy, CSIRO and other organisations to develop a strategic PFAS research strategy and roadmap would chart a course towards providing the evidence base needed to reduce uncertainty that currently risks undermining community trust in the safety of their water, household products and environment.

Academy media contact: Khaled Chakli: [email protected] (0423 099 568)