Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has extended its PFAS (per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances) advice for the Maribyrnong River and is advising people not to consume fish taken upstream from Solomon’s Ford in Avondale Heights.
EPA previously issued advice concerning the river upstream of the Calder Freeway.
EPA Freshwater Senior Applied Scientist Leon Metzeling said following further PFAS sampling provided by Melbourne Water, EPA has decided to take a precautionary approach and extend that area.
“Signs around Maribyrnong River are being erected to notify anglers of the extended advice,” he said.
“The PFAS levels exceed the maximum allowable concentrations for suitable drinking water but are within the acceptable concentrations for recreational water use. Normal drinking water supplies are not affected.
“EPA will be conducting fish sampling both above and below Solomon’s Ford to gain further information about the concentrations and will update advice as necessary.
“However, while we await the results of other tests, EPA is taking a precautionary approach and advising people not to consume fish from Maribyrnong River upstream from Solomon’s Ford.”
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals, many which have been in common use for many decades, including in historic firefighting foams and in-home products like non-stick pans and carpet treatments.
Because the use of PFAS is widespread and the chemicals are slow to break down, traces of PFAS are likely to be found in groundwater, surface water and soils in many urban areas.
While there is still no consistent evidence of the relationship between concentrations of PFAS in the environment and food and specific illness in humans, they can persist in humans for many years. EPA is taking a precautionary approach to minimise risk and recommends against consumption of animal products or water where PFAS levels are considered high.
For more information about PFAS go to https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/your-environment/land-and-groundwater/pfas-in-victoria
The Australian Government’s Expert Health Panel for PFAS Report 2018 found that there is no consistent evidence that PFAS are harmful to human health, or cause any specific illnesses such as cancer, even in the case of highly exposed occupational populations. Possible links between PFOS and PFOA exposure and several health effects have been reported in epidemiological studies around the world. However, many of these findings have been inconsistent, with some studies identifying health effects and others finding none.
Until there is definitive scientific indication, EPA has adopted a consistent and proactive position to limit contact and consumption where PFAS levels are above human health guidelines.