<
https://theconversation.com/dont-talk-listen-why-communities-affected-by-forever-chemicals-in-water-must-be-heard-258062>
"Until recently, Australia’s efforts to tackle “forever chemical” pollution
focused on highly polluted firefighting and defence sites.
But last year, elevated levels of some of these chemicals were detected in the
untreated water supply for the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. Residents
were understandably concerned.
Community groups threatened to launch a class action, while residents sought to
have their blood tested. NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson moved to reassure
residents their “water is safe”, and a Sydney Morning Herald editorial said the
state government was blind to the risks.
Earlier this year, Australia banned three of these chemicals – PFOA, PFOS and
PFHxS. PFOA is considered carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research
on Cancer, while PFOS is considered possibly carcinogenic. But the
environmental and health effects of forever chemical exposure remain a matter
of debate, as the risk depends on concentration. In November, a Senate inquiry
made dozens of recommendations to better regulate these chemicals.
All too often, authorities respond to legitimate community concerns by pointing
to the low level of risk. But as these chemicals build up in drinking water,
wastewater and farming soils, this trust-the-experts approach isn’t going to
work."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
