To: Murray Watt, Minister for the Environment and Water
Let's ban "forever chemicals"
PFAS* are a class of about 15,000 chemicals which resist heat, and repel water and oil – but also contaminate and stay in the environment. They’re called forever chemicals because once they are in the environment or in our bodies, they never disappear.
In Australia, only 3 of these toxic substances have been banned, while Europe is getting ready to ban all PFAS.
We’re exposed to PFAS every day. PFAS show up in everyday items, like water resistant clothing, non-stick cookware, and children’s toys. Small children are particularly at risk given they tend to suck and chew toys and fabrics. International reports have linked these chemicals to two rare types of cancer, and other health effects of PFAS are just beginning to be understood.
Let's get as many signatures as we can to show Minister Watt we want these chemicals banned for good!
Let's get as many signatures as we can to show Minister Watt we want these chemicals banned for good!
*Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances
Why is this important?
The effects of these chemicals are widely unknown, with only certain chemicals having been studied. They are used in all sorts of products, including children's toys. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said children might be more sensitive to the harmful effects of chemicals like PFAS as they were still developing.
In the EU, in addition to the PFAS class ban, authorities are also in the process of adopting new safety regulations that include bans on PFAS and other harmful chemicals, specifically in toys.
Australia needs to join the rest of the world in taking a precautionary approach, rather than responding to confirmed toxicity once a single chemical is studied. We should be banning this entire class of chemicals until it can be proven that some (if any) are safe for use in consumer products.
In the EU, in addition to the PFAS class ban, authorities are also in the process of adopting new safety regulations that include bans on PFAS and other harmful chemicals, specifically in toys.
Australia needs to join the rest of the world in taking a precautionary approach, rather than responding to confirmed toxicity once a single chemical is studied. We should be banning this entire class of chemicals until it can be proven that some (if any) are safe for use in consumer products.