In a startling revelation, recent reports highlight Australia’s leniency towards the presence of “forever” chemicals in its tap water, far surpassing safety thresholds set by other nations, notably the United States. These chemicals, termed “forever” due to their persistence in the environment and the human body, have been flagged as carcinogenic by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a prominent member of this group, has been permitted in Australian tap water at levels 140 times higher than those deemed safe by US standards, a disparity exacerbated by the Biden administration’s stringent regulations on these contaminants. The gravity of this issue is underscored by the tragic tale of Amara Strande, a young advocate who waged a relentless battle against these substances until her untimely demise from liver cancer at the tender age of 20.
Strande’s crusade gained momentum following a damning investigation by The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, which unearthed a concerning pattern of cancer cases among students at Oakdale High School, linked to water contaminated with forever chemicals. The roots of this contamination trace back to a 3M factory, which has contributed to the global pervasiveness of these pollutants affecting 98% of the world’s population.
Amara’s narrative, intertwined with the harrowing ubiquity of these toxins, takes center stage in the forthcoming Stan documentary, “Revealed: How to Poison a Planet.” Her legacy echoes through the halls of power, prompting action from the White House to reevaluate drinking water standards, a move aimed at preventing further tragedies akin to Oakdale’s plight.
Australia’s current guidelines permit significantly higher concentrations of PFOA and its counterparts compared to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) stringent regulations. While the US mandates a limit of 4 parts per trillion for PFOS and PFOA, Australia allows 70 parts per trillion of PFOS and a staggering 560 parts per trillion of PFOA in drinking water.
The Department of Health has acknowledged the need for a comprehensive review of Australia’s drinking water guidelines concerning forever chemicals, recognizing the evolving landscape of international standards and scientific understanding. Notably, PFOA, once prevalent in Teflon frying pans, has been designated carcinogenic by the WHO, raising further alarms regarding its pervasive presence in everyday products. The EPA estimates that adhering to the new regulations could prevent thousands of deaths over the years, mitigating a spectrum of health complications associated with these insidious pollutants. However, the journey towards stringent regulation has been protracted, marked by industry concealment of known dangers and persistent advocacy from figures like Amara Strande and attorney Robert Bilott.
As the spotlight intensifies on the perils of forever chemicals, stakeholders are compelled to confront the harsh reality of their widespread impact on public health and the environment. With documentaries like “Revealed: How to Poison a Planet” poised to shed light on these pressing issues, the imperative for decisive action grows ever more urgent.
The premiere of the Stan Original Documentary serves as a clarion call for heightened vigilance and accountability in addressing the insidious threat posed by forever chemicals, lest we allow the toxins of today to poison the planet of tomorrow.
Written by
Upeksha Jayalath
