Good Environmental News: Forever Chemicals Ban

Here at Tri Nature, we are committed to protecting the environment, and we thought it would be good to share some positive environmental news with you. So here it is….

From July 1st, 2025, the Australian government will ban the import, export and manufacture of the forever chemicals; Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), Perfluorohexanesulfonic Acid (PFHxS) and Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS)(1).

These chemicals are part of a group of compounds known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and are classified as persistent organic pollutants.
You have probably heard these PFAS chemicals mentioned in the media where they were found to have contaminated defence force bases (and the surrounding areas) around Australia, including one not too far from us here at Tri Nature headquarters.

Why are they bad?

These PFAS chemicals are persistent pollutants meaning that they do not break down in the environment. They enter our soils and waterways and build up over time, ultimately ending up in the food chain. The chemicals have been linked to adverse impacts on some plants and animals.

Not only are they bad for the environment, but there have also been some potential human health effects identified. According to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, exposure to PFOA and PFOS has been associated with a higher risk of kidney and testicular cancer,(2) along with other health effects. At this stage, there is not a definite link between exposure to PFAS and these health effects, but it is always best to take a precautionary approach and avoid these chemicals.

What are the uses of PFAS?

Traditionally, these products have been used in numerous consumer and industrial products, including fire-fighting foams, some food packaging, non-stick metal cookware, paints and in textile and carpet protection.

Over recent years, there have been significant efforts by manufacturers to remove these chemicals from many of these products, but the ban will mean that they can no longer be used.

What does this ban mean for Tri Nature?

A better environment for us all.

Tri Nature has never used PFAS chemicals in their products and supports the ban on these chemicals to protect both our environment and our health.

As neighbours to the Kooragang Wetlands here in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, we are delighted that this ban will help to protect the local bird life and the vulnerable green and golden bell frogs (Litoria aurea) that reside in the wetlands. We hope this ban will prevent any further damage from these forever chemicals to our local environment.

Green and Golden Bell Frog

 

What next?

Unfortunately, the ban on these chemicals does not remove the chemicals that have already accumulated in our environment. So, whilst the news of their ban is ultimately a step in the right direction, remediation of these sites with significant contamination will take much longer.

You can read more about PFAS here.

 

[1] https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/chemicals-management/national-standard/perfluorooctanoic-acid-pfoa-and-related-substances

[2] https://www.health.gov.au/topics/environmental-health/about/environmental-toxins-and-contaminants/pfas