Australia proposes stricter limits on PFAS chemicals in drinking water

Australia plans to tighten regulations on PFAS chemicals in drinking water. The National Health and Medical Research Council has proposed lowering limits for four PFAS compounds, including PFOA and PFOS, based on new health evidence. The new draft guidelines suggest reducing the PFOA limit from 560 ng/L to 200 ng/L and the PFOS limit from 70 ng/L to 4 ng/L. Additional limits for PFHxS and PFBS are also proposed, reflecting concerns about their health impacts. Public consultation on the draft guidelines will continue until November 22. The NHMRC aims to update the guidelines, which have not changed since 2018, to align with recent scientific findings.