The PFAS Health Study has five main components over two phases. Each component aims to inform the following components in the study. Each component has protocols.

Phase I - Systematic Literature Review

Scientific studies have investigated a range of possible health outcomes resulting from exposure to PFAS. During Phase I we conducted a systematic review to examine the evidence on the human health effects related to PFAS exposure reported in scientific literature. A systematic review assesses the current evidence for a research question using specific methods to collect and evaluate research studies.

Your can read the findings of the systematic review on the Reports tab.

Phase I - Study Protocols for Phase II

The PFAS Health Study aims to investigate the exposure levels and potential health effects of PFAS in areas of known contamination in the communities of Williamtown, Oakey, and Katherine, Australia. During Phase I we developed the study protocols for the PFAS Health Study Phase II epidemiological study.

 Phase II Research Protocols (345KB PDF)

Phase II – Focus Groups Study

The first component of Phase II of the PFAS Health Study was a series of focus group discussions in Oakey, Williamtown, and Katherine between January and August 2018. The main aim of this study was to understand participants’ views and experiences of PFAS contamination in their local area, with a focus on participants’ health concerns. Focus group discussions facilitate discussion of public knowledge, underlying attitudes, perceptions and opinions and are well suited to exploring a range of views on community topics.

The findings of the focus group study are available on the Reports tab.

 Focus Groups Study Research Protocol (260KB PDF)

Phase II – Cross-sectional Survey and Blood Serum Study

The PFAS Health Study will test blood specimens of people living or working in an area contaminated with PFAS and compare it to people not living in those areas. The Study will also conduct a survey of these same people to understand the blood test results, along with health effects and other concerns.

People who have already had their blood collected through the Australian Government Department of Health Voluntary Blood Testing Program for PFAS and have agreed to participate in the ANU-led study were invited to particpate in October 2019. Participants were be able to complete a paper copy of the survey and mail it to the study team, or complete it online.

The study began in November 2016 with the Voluntary Blood Testing for PFAS.

The final report for the Cross-sectional Survey and Blood Serum Study is expected to be released in mid-2021.

 Cross-sectional Survey and Blood Serum Study Research Protocol (1MB PDF)
 Cross-sectional Survey and Blood Serum Study Summary (345KB PDF)

Read more about Voluntary blood testing for PFAS on the Department of Health website.

Phase II – Data Linkage Study

The data linkage study will examine whether adverse health outcomes potentially linked with PFAS exposure are more common among people who have lived in areas contaminated with PFAS compared to those who have never lived in those areas. Data linkage brings together information about individuals across multiple datasets. Researchers only have access to these data after identifying details have been removed.

The study will use routinely-collected data. Routinely-collected data are data collected for purposes other than research, such as information collected by hospitals or for Government services.

The final report for the Data Linkage Study is expected to be released in mid-2021.

 Data Linkage Study Research Protocol (1.21MB PDF)
 Data Linkage Study Summary (281.3KB PDF)

What is the PFAS Health Study?

The PFAS Health Study is investigating the exposure levels and potential health effects of PFAS in three towns that have high levels of PFAS contamination of the environment—Oakey (Qld), Williamtown (NSW) and Katherine (NT). To find out if the health of these communities has been affected by PFAS, we will compare the results with information from people who live in similar towns that do not have high levels of PFAS in the environment— Dalby (QLD), Kiama and Shellharbour (NSW), and Alice Springs (NT). Each of these comparison towns is matched to an exposed town based on socioeconomic factors, such as income, employment and education levels, and the remoteness of the area. Participants of the study will be asked to complete a survey and provide a blood serum sample for testing PFAS levels and a range of biomarkers.

Limitations of PFAS blood testing

Blood testing for PFAS currently has no diagnostic or prognostic value for individuals and cannot be used to guide clinical management. This means that a blood test cannot determine if PFAS levels in a person’s blood will make them sick now or later in life, or if any current health problems are related to the PFAS levels found in their blood. There are no ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’ ranges and most Australians are expected to have detectable levels of PFAS in their blood due to the widespread use of this chemical in a range of applications and products. The value of blood testing is limited to assessing exposure at the population level. A blood test can measure the level of PFAS in a person’s blood and can tell a person how their blood levels compare with the levels seen in the general Australian population.

Health effects

While PFAS can persist in humans, animals and the environment, currently there is limited evidence of significant impacts on human health from exposure to PFAS chemicals. The Environmental Health Standing Committee (enHealth) issued revised guidance statements in 2019 to reflect the most current evidence relating to PFAS, including that PFAS exposure has been associated with mildly elevated levels of cholesterol, effects on kidney function and effects on the levels of some hormones. However, these effects are small and generally within ranges seen in the general population.

Avoiding PFAS exposure as a part of the precautionary principle

As a precaution, governments in Australia recommend that exposure to PFAS be minimised wherever possible while further research is undertaken on the potential health effects of PFAS exposure.

Information for GPs in Williamtown, Oakey and Katherine

Study participants in Williamtown, Oakey and Katherine have previously had a blood test for PFAS levels through the Australian Government Voluntary Blood Testing Program (VBTP) and have received their results during a post-test GP consultation. We have invited these participants to complete a survey about their health and wellbeing and potential exposure to PFAS. We have also sought permission to test their stored blood serum for biomarkers to better understand how PFAS levels influence specific biochemicals such as, blood lipids, and markers of liver, kidney and thyroid function. 

This testing will be undertaken in early 2021 and results will be sent directly to participants. If participants consent, we will also send a copy of their results to their GP, for their records. If the participant’s results are outside the laboratory reference ranges we will recommend that they follow-up with their GP. 

It is important to note that the blood serum samples being tested will be between 18 months and 4 years old. 

Information for GPs in Alice Springs, Dalby, Kiama and Shellharbour

Residents will be randomly selected, through Services Australia, to participate in the study. In mid-2020 they will be invited to complete a survey about their health and wellbeing and potential exposure to PFAS and have a blood test for PFAS serum levels and a range of biomarkers.

Participants will be directed to a local pathology collection centre to have their blood taken. They are not required to consult with their GP prior to the test.

Blood serum samples will be stored until the end of the study period, before being tested in early 2021. Results of the tests will be sent directly to participants in early to mid-2021. If participants provide written consent at the time of blood collection, we will also send a copy of their results to their GP, for their records. If a participant’s biomarker results are outside of the laboratory reference ranges, we will recommend that they follow-up with their GP.

Further advice for GPs

While participants in the PFAS health study from comparison areas will not be required to see their GP, we understand that some individuals may wish to discuss their potential participation in the PFAS study or their results with their GP. 

Similarly while participants of the PFAS health study from the Investigation areas had their blood specimens taken some time ago, they may return to their GP for further consultation following the receipt of their results from their additional biomarker tests completed as part of the study.

The following additional advice may assist GPs:

• Frequently asked questions (148.58 KB, PDF)
• Pre-test consultation advice for GPs (181.44 KB, PDF)
• Post-test consultation advice for GPs (168.58 KB, PDF)

Reports have been published on the Systematic Literature Review and the Focus Groups Study.

Reports for the remaining parts of the PFAS Health Study will be available at the conclusion of each study component.

PFAS Health Study Systematic Literature Review

This review examined 221 scientific publications into the human health effects of exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known collectively as PFAS. The key findings were:

• Sufficient evidence that higher levels of PFOS or PFOA in a person’s blood can lead to higher blood cholesterol levels.
• Limited evidence that higher levels of PFAS in the blood resulted in slightly higher levels of uric acid in the blood.
• Limited evidence that high PFAS levels in the blood reduced kidney function or were associated with chronic kidney disease.
• Limited evidence in a small number of relevant studies that PFAS exposure caused kidney and testicular cancers.
• Limited evidence that higher levels of PFAS in the blood resulted in lower levels of antibodies than usual following vaccination against some vaccine preventable infections.

 PFAS Health Study Systematic Review (PDF 1.7MB). This review was released in May 2018.

PFAS Health Study Focus Groups Study

The primary aim of the Focus Groups Study was to gather a range of social and health-related experiences and perceptions from current residents and workers exposed to PFAS in Williamtown, Oakey and Katherine. Focus groups discussions were conducted between January and August 2018, with a total of 180 participants across the three regions. The main topics of discussion were focused on both physical and mental health concerns, environmental and PFAS blood testing, financial concerns, community trust and cohesion, local conditions and exposure pathways, and the way forward.

 PFAS Focus Groups Report (PDF 1.1MB) This report was released in March 2019.

The Focus Groups Report was used in the development of a poster for the Aboriginal communities in Katherine (PDF 2.7MB) which was presented in May 2019.

The PFAS Health Study survey is now closed for Williamtown, Oakey and Katherine residents.