PFAS forever chemicals above drinking water guidelines in global source water
PFAS forever chemicals above drinking water guidelines in global source water UNSW Sydney
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A contentious debate: how much PFAS is too much?
Most people in Australia – and in many places around the world – are likely to have low levels of PFAS in their bodies.
But the potential health risks of PFAS chemicals are poorly understood and haven’t been agreed on universally.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and PFAS
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations aim to address various global challenges, including environmental sustainability and human health. PFAS, a group of chemicals, has raised concerns due to its potential adverse effects on human health and the environment. The understanding of these risks varies across different regions and countries.
According to an Australian Government expert health panel, there is limited to no evidence that PFAS poses clinically significant harm to human health – although further afield, peak bodies in the US and Europe suggest that PFAS is linked to adverse health outcomes, such as lower birth weight in babies, higher levels of cholesterol, reduced kidney function, thyroid disease, altered sex hormone levels, reduced vaccine response, and liver, kidney, and testicular cancers.
In 2023, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared PFOA, a type of PFAS, a category one human carcinogen.
While PFAS has been linked to many of these health outcomes, they haven’t necessarily been shown to cause them – but given the potential risks and ‘forever’ nature of these chemicals, many regulatory bodies have tightened PFAS use and introduced safe drinking water limits as a precaution.
Regulations and Safe Drinking Water Limits
Regulatory bodies around the world have implemented different regulations regarding PFAS. Two forms of PFAS that initially raised concerns about 20 years ago are PFOS and PFOA. In the US, the proposed drinking water limits for PFOS and PFOA are four nanograms per litre.
In Australia, a third PFAS called PFHxS is also regulated. Here, the sum of PFOS and PFHxS is limited to 70 nanograms per litre – well above the four nanograms per litre combined PFOS and PFOA limit in the US.
However, the acceptable level for PFOA in drinking water in Australia is even higher. It is regulated at 560 nanograms per litre, which is two orders of magnitude higher than in the US.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution |
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials. | Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. | Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, including their compliance with the agreements |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article discusses the potential health risks of PFAS chemicals, including adverse health outcomes such as lower birth weight, higher cholesterol levels, reduced kidney function, thyroid disease, altered sex hormone levels, reduced vaccine response, and liver, kidney, and testicular cancers. SDG 3 aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
The article mentions the regulation of PFAS in drinking water and the introduction of safe drinking water limits as a precaution. SDG 6 focuses on ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
The article highlights the need for environmentally sound management of chemicals, including PFAS, to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. SDG 12 aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
This target is relevant as PFAS chemicals are potentially hazardous and can contribute to illnesses and adverse health outcomes.
Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
This target is applicable as the article discusses the regulation of PFAS in drinking water and the need for safe drinking water limits.
Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
This target is relevant as it emphasizes the need for the environmentally sound management of chemicals, including PFAS, to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution
This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 3.9, which aims to reduce deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and pollution. It can help assess the impact of PFAS chemicals on mortality rates.
Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality
This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 6.3, which focuses on improving water quality and reducing pollution. It can assess the extent to which bodies of water are free from contamination by PFAS chemicals.
Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, including their compliance with the agreements
This indicator can be used to measure progress towards Target 12.4, which aims to achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals. It can assess the level of international cooperation and compliance with agreements related to hazardous waste, including PFAS chemicals.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. | Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution |
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials. | Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. | Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste, including their compliance with the agreements |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: unsw.edu.au
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