Will drinking tap water in Australia give you cancer?

Recent reports about a carcinogenic substance, also known as “forever chemicals,” found in drinking water supplies across Australia have raised nationwide concern about the safety of drinking tap water.

Now, people in Australia, especially in areas where they found evidence of forever chemicals, are wondering, will drinking tap water in Australia give you cancer?

In this post, we’ll shed light on the recent developments in the water industry and what they can mean for the public’s health and safety.

What are forever chemicals?

These forever chemicals, called perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), are contaminants found in several parts of Australia’s tap water. These are the same dangerous chemicals that the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) warned against, declaring that they can be cancerous when exposed to them for a long period of time. Since then, the US authorities have announced the strict limit of PFOS/PFOA in drinking water in the United States.

PFOS/PFOA are under the broad category of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are synthetic compounds used in various consumer products since the 1950s. They’re known for being resistant to degradation, hence the name forever chemicals.

How are you exposed to PFAS chemicals when drinking tap water in Australia?

As mentioned, PFAS chemicals have been used widely around the globe in consumer products and industry applications. This means that the level of exposure in humans is widespread. Additionally, there’s a big possibility that you’re constantly exposed to PFAS chemicals every day because they’re evident in many household products, including non-stick cookware and utensils, stain or water-resistant clothing, food or drinking packages, and even in paint and cosmetics. They can also be ingested airborne from air fresheners or leak into the water and soil by using pesticides.

What are the health implications of increased exposure to PFAS contaminants?

Right now, the only known way to expel these harmful contaminants from the body is through urination or sweating. But even then, it’s not guaranteed to remove all the contaminants, which can linger for years in the body. Repeated exposure to PFAS in humans and animals can lead to bioaccumulation in the bloodstream, posing more risks to one’s health and safety.

This is a huge cause for concern, especially when recent findings have shown that these chemicals have beenpresent inAustralia’s drinking water since 2010. Some of the health issues linked to long exposure to PFAS are:

• Higher cholesterol
• Birth developmental issues
• Impaired immune responses
• Kidney and testicular cancer
• Thyroid diseases
• Interference with hormone levels
• Liver damage
• Impact on bone health

Can you drink tap water in Australia?

According to publicly available data, traces of PFOS/PFOA have been found in the following locations:

• NSW - North Richmond, Quakers Hill, Liverpool, Blacktown, Emu Plains and Campbelltown, Newcastle, Bathurst, Wagga Wagga, Lithgow, Gundagai, Yass.
• ACT - Canberra
• Victoria - Melbourne (Footscray)
• South Australia - Adelaide (inner-city)
• Queensland - Cairns and Gladstone
• Tasmania - Kingborough
• Northern Territory - Darwin

Now comes the lingering question in all our minds: Can you drink tap water in Australia? Is it safe? Will drinking tap water in Australia cause cancer?

US EPA claims that “there is no safe level of PFAS exposure without risk.” This only means that you want to have zero exposure to the substance as much as possible.

With these recent reports and guidelines from the EPA, there’s still no indication whether Australian authorities will follow the US EPA's strict restriction of using PFOS/PFOA in consumer products. Currently, the Australian guidelines about using these chemicals in drinking water are140 times higher than the US rate.

How can you avoid PFAS contamination when drinking tap water in Australia?

Right now, it’s up to the public to take precautions and limit their exposure to PFAS. Yes, the substance could be everywhere, but lessening your risk for exposure is greater than doing nothing.

If you’re worried about the safety of drinking tap water, we highly recommend getting a water filtration system in your home. According to a research from the Department of Health, a reverse osmosis water filter can effectively remove PFAS from your water supply. The reverse osmosis filtration system forces the water through a semipermeable membrane to filter out any present contaminants, including PFAS.

For your family’s safety and peace of mind, we at Ausco Plumbing dedicate ourselves to making drinking water a healthy and safe source for everyone in your home. Contact Ausco Plumbing to enjoy the benefits of installing water purification systems in your Newcastle home.