Blog

Forever Chemicals, Lasting Risks: The Occupational Dangers of PFAS

Published on Posted on 27 February 202512 June 2026

Please note that this post was written for Victorian audiences and the information within may not apply to other regions.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been widely used in various industrial and consumer products since the 1950s. PFAS have received considerable media attention, and were the centre of a 2019 film, ‘Dark Waters’, and a 2024 documentary, ‘Revealed: How To Poison A Planet.’ PFAS were primarily used to make products that resist heat, stains, grease, water, and any form of degradation, earning them the nickname “forever chemicals.” This persistence in the environment and human body has raised significant health concerns, particularly for individuals with occupational exposure. Among these, firefighters are notably at higher risk due to the use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams.

PFAS in the Environment

There are low levels of PFAS in soil, sediment, water and animals across most of Victoria. Some locations, such as firefighting training sites, have higher PFAS levels in the environment. 

There is global concern about PFAS because they:

• are widely used in various products
• persist in the environment for a long time
• move easily through animals, water and land
• can build up in animals and people. 

PFAS can be present in our homes and workplaces, including:

• Drinking water
• Fire extinguishing foam
• Soil and water at or near waste sites
• Manufacturing or chemical production facilities that produce or use PFAS
• Food – for example, in fish caught from water contaminated by PFAS and dairy products from livestock exposed to PFAS)
• Grease-resistant food packaging
• Household products and dust – for example, stain and water-repellent products used on carpets, upholstery, clothing, and other fabrics; cleaning products; non-stick cookware; paints, varnishes, and sealants
• Personal care products – for example, in certain shampoos, dental floss, and cosmetics
• Biosolids – for example, fertiliser from wastewater treatment plants that is used on agricultural lands can affect ground and surface water and animals that graze on the land.

Health Implications of PFAS Exposure

Due to their widespread use, most people in Australia are expected to have detectable levels of PFAS present in their bloodstream. However, at present, there is a limited understanding of the human health effects of long-term exposure.

Although many types of PFAS exist, the most prevalent in the Australian population to date have been perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA – a known human carcinogen), and perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS). Though PFAS exposure varies, ingestion of food and drinking water contaminated with PFAS is expected to be the primary source of exposure. Once these chemicals are in a person’s body, it takes a long time for their levels to substantially decrease, even if no more are taken in. Depending on the type of PFAS, studies indicate that it can take 2 to 8 years for levels to reduce by half.

PFAS exposure has been associated with the following health effects:

• Mesothelioma
• Prostate cancer
• Testicular cancer
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Increased cholesterol levels
• Increased levels of uric acid in the blood
• Liver and kidney damage
• Changes in immune system function
• Altered levels of thyroid hormones and sex hormones
• Lower birth weight in babies
• Later onset of menstruation in girls, and earlier menopause
• Reproductive issues, such as fertility problems and pregnancy-induced hypertension
• Increased risk of certain cancers, including testicular and kidney cancer.

It is important to note that the low PFAS levels typically measured in the general population are below those associated with the above health effects.

Given that our understanding of how PFAS affects human health is continually evolving, there is uncertainty about the potential for PFAS exposure to cause significant adverse health effects. Nonetheless, according to the Environment Protection Authority Victoria, it is advisable to take precautions to minimise exposure to PFAS.

Firefighting: A High-Risk Occupation

In 2022, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) re-classified the firefighting occupation as a ‘Group 1’ carcinogen (carcinogenic to humans). Firefighters face unique occupational hazards, one of which is elevated exposure to PFAS through aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) used to combat liquid fuel fires. PFAS are particularly relevant to firefighting because these chemicals are used in firefighter protective clothing and equipment to impart water- and oil-repellency. Studies have suggested that this increased exposure could elevate cancer risks among firefighters.

In Australia, concerns over PFAS contamination have led to significant legal and environmental actions. In May 2023, the Australian government reached a $132.7 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit with landowners affected by PFAS contamination from firefighting foams. The lawsuit alleged that the commonwealth did not adequately prevent these toxic chemicals from contaminating soil and groundwater.

Currently, there are no recommended medical monitoring or screening methods because, although PFAS can be detected in the bloodstream, blood tests cannot determine whether any medical condition is attributable to PFAS exposure and therefore are unhelpful in informing clinical management.

Looking Ahead

From July 1, 2025, Australia will ban the import, export, manufacture and use of three common PFAS chemicals: PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS, alongside 186 other countries. This excludes unintentional trace contamination, with prescribed levels to be set and reviewed by 1 July 2027.

Although this has the potential to impact a broad range of industries, the impacts from the use of PFAS extend far beyond just the industries that use, manufacture and transport PFAS, such as:

• Sites where firefighting foam has been used, such as mining operations, fuel refineries and storage facilities, airports, fire training grounds and transport infrastructure. Other at-risk environments are waste disposal and recovery facilities.
• Construction projects and activities, including handling and storage of contaminated soil.
• Livestock, fishing and agriculture.

If I suffer adverse health effects from PFAS exposure, am I entitled to Compensation?

A worker diagnosed with a condition alleged to be due to PFAS exposure may be entitled to WorkCover compensation in Victoria based on the nature of their employment (whether current or former employment).

It must be shown that the nature of their employment significantly increased their risk of developing their condition than had they not been employed in employment of that nature. No causal link to a specific employer is required for statutory benefits compensation when the worker is suffering from a disease. They would also need to establish an accepted association between their condition and the nature of their employment, including that the nature of their employment could have exposed them to PFAS.

Irrespective of any potential occupational or other forms of PFAS exposure, an individual may be entitled to benefits through their superannuation or other personal insurance policies.

Zaparas Lawyers is a Doyle’s Guide First Tier personal injury firm with over 45 years of experience.

We operate on a 100% No Win, No Fee basis. Contact us today for your free initial appointment.