Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure in the West Lakes region

How can I be exposed to PFAS from ground water in the West Lakes region?

Exposure to PFAS from ground water may occur through contact and ingestion of contaminated ground water. Previous mitigation and remediation strategies carried out in the West Lakes region to manage the 2000 cadmium contamination reduced the likelihood of any future exposure to PFAS.

See the West Lakes Information for Residents in Areas Affected by Sewage Sludge booklet (PDF 2451KB)for further information.

How can I be exposed to PFAS from soil in the West Lakes region?

Exposure to PFAS from contaminated soil may occur through contact and ingestion of contaminated soil. Contaminated soil on residential land, road verges and parks is unlikely in West Lakes region due to previous mitigation and remediation strategies carried out to manage the 2000 cadmium contamination.

See the West Lakes Information for Residents in Areas Affected by Sewage Sludge booklet (PDF 2451KB) for further information.

If mitigation and remediation measures have not been conducted at your property avoid contact with soil until further investigations are conducted.

Will PFAS accumulate in the fruit and vegetables grown in my backyard in the West Lakes region?

While it is possible for PFAS to accumulate in some plant materials, eating fruit and vegetables sourced from your backyard in the West Lakes region is unlikely to be a significant/major source of PFAS due to previous mitigation and remediation strategies carried out to manage the 2000 cadmium contamination.

See the West Lakes Information for Residents in Areas Affected by Sewage Sludge booklet (PDF 2451KB) for further information.

If mitigation and remediation measures have not been conducted at your property avoid contact with soil until further investigations are conducted.

I have chickens in my backyard in the West Lakes region; is this a problem?

There are reports of PFAS accumulating in the eggs of chickens housed at fire stations in Adelaide.  While it is possible for PFAS to accumulate in eggs sourced from chickens in your backyard, it is unlikely to be a source of PFAS exposure for residents in the West Lakes region due to implementation of previous mitigation and remediation strategies used to manage the 2000 cadmium contamination in the region. 

If mitigation and remediation measures have not been conducted at your property, avoid consumption of the eggs sourced from your backyard until further investigations are conducted.

How can I become exposed to PFAS in recreational water in the West Lakes region?

Exposure to PFAS from recreational water may occur while undertaking any activities relating to sport and relaxation. Examples include swimming, diving, boating, fishing and sailboarding.

The most common way you would become exposed in recreational waters is through swallowing the water. Skin absorption is slow and does not result in significant exposure. PFAS chemicals do not vaporise, so PFAS will not be in the air and pose a risk from inhalation.

In the instance of West Lakes, if you were to swallow some water, the water contains small amounts of PFAS, it would not pose a health risk.

Further information

For further information on PFASs, see the Per- and Poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) web page, contact SA Health’s Scientific Services on (08) 8226 7100, or visit the Commonwealth Department of Health’s web page.