University hosts expert symposium on `forever chemicals'

One of New Zealand’s largest gatherings focused on PFAS, or ‘forever chemicals’, has highlighted major gaps in understanding the extent of contamination across the country.

Hosted by the University of Auckland’s School of Environment, the symposium brought together more than 20 researchers, consultants, regulators and industry experts from New Zealand, Australia and the United States, with additional participants joining online.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of thousands of chemicals used in products including firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, waterproof textiles and food packaging. Because they do not readily break down, they accumulate in water, soil, wildlife and people.

Presentations covered New Zealand research on PFAS in indoor dust, wastewater, groundwater, freshwater fish, marine mammals and seabirds, as well as emerging international research into PFAS in pesticides.

Last week's event also examined regulatory developments led by the Environmental Protection Authority and work on alternatives to PFAS and remedies for PFAS pollution. 

Professor Melanie Kah said establishing national baseline contamination levels should be a priority.

“PFAS are everywhere and it would be useful to know the baseline of contamination across New Zealand - the levels that we are already living with,” she said.

Kah said addressing PFAS pollution requires expertise from a wide range of fields.

“So many specialists have a role to play in tackling this wicked problem, from chemistry, engineering and biology to human geography, Mātauranga Māori and sustainable business.”

The symposium was organised by the University of Auckland’s PFAS Working Group, led by Kah, Associate Professor Erin Leitao and Dr Lokesh Padhye.