Expert Health Panel on PFAS

This panel advised the Australian Government on research, evidence, and health impacts of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

Role

In 2017, we established the Expert Health Panel on Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to:

  • advise the Australian Government on the potential health impacts of PFAS exposure
  • consider the evidence available from both Australian and international scientific research
  • identify priority areas for further research
  • consider the views of the public and other stakeholders through a public consultation.

The panel produced a final report to outline their key findings and recommendations.

Members

The panel included members with expertise in environmental health, toxicology, epidemiology and/or public health.

MemberBackground and experience
Professor Nick Buckley (Chair)University of Sydney
Professor Malcolm SimMonash University
Dr Ki DouglasDouglas Consulting Australia
Professor Helen HåkanssonInternational Representative, Karolinska Institutet
  • Professor Alison Jones (University of Wollongong) was initially part of the panel but had to withdraw from the Panel in January 2018 due to work commitments. Prof Jones was not involved in the drafting of the final report.

Panel findings and report

The panel found that although the scientific evidence in humans is limited, current reviews and scientific research show consistent reports of an association with several health effects.

The health effects reported in these associations are generally small and within normal ranges for the whole population. There is also limited evidence of human disease or other clinically significant harm resulting from PFAS exposure at this time.

Expert Health Panel for PFAS – Report

This report outlines the key findings and recommendations of the Expert Health Panel for PFAS. It includes a comprehensive review of recent literature reviews regarding Australian and international evidence on potential human health effects of PFAS exposure.
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