Media release
From: Australian Science Media CentreThe National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is releasing updated draft guidelines for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water. PFAS are widely used human made chemicals that most Australians will be exposed to through their lifetime, and have been linked to health issues. The new draft guidelines include revised guidance on regulations for four main PFAS chemicals which will inform state and territory strategies for maintaining water supply safety. The NHMRC will be holding a briefing to discuss the draft guidelines before they are released for public consultation on Monday.
Speakers:
- Professor Steve Wesselingh, NHMRC Chief Executive Officer
- Professor Anthony (Tony) Lawler, Chief Medical Officer, Australian Department of Health and Aged Care
- Dr David Cunliffe, Principal Water Quality Advisor, SA Department for Health and Wellbeing and Member of the NHMRC Water Quality Advisory Committee
Date: Mon 21 Oct 2024
Duration: Approx 45 min
Venue: Online - Zoom
Expert Reaction
These comments have been collated by the Science Media Centre to provide a variety of expert perspectives on this issue. Feel free to use these quotes in your stories. Views expressed are the personal opinions of the experts named. They do not represent the views of the SMC or any other organisation unless specifically stated.
Dr Daniel Deere is a Water and Health Consultant at Water Futures
Dr Thava Palanisami is from the School of Engineering at the University of Newcastle
Professor Denis O’Carroll is a Professor in the Water Research Laboratory and Deputy Head of School (Research) in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UNSW Sydney