2018: Lorim Point, Weipa (Queensland)
Potable Water: 30 samples PFHxS+PFOS 0.048ug/L (max), PFOS 0.034ug/L (max). repeat sampling from 6 potables wells and the accumulation point.
“Based on human health considerations, the concentration of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in drinking water should not exceed 200 ng/L (0.2 μg/L).
Based on human health considerations, the concentration of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in drinking water should not exceed 8 ng/L (0.008 μg/L).
Based on human health considerations, the concentration of perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) in drinking water should not exceed 30 ng/L (0.03 μg/L).
Based on human health considerations, the concentration of perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) in drinking water should not exceed 1000 ng/L (1 µg/L).
No health-based guideline value can be derived for hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid and its ammonium salt (GenX chemicals) at this time.
General description
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are manufactured chemicals that do not occur naturally in the environment. PFAS include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid and its ammonium salt (GenX chemicals), amongst a large group of other compounds. Some PFAS are persistent in the environment,
show the potential for bioaccumulation and biomagnification, and adverse health effects are observed in animal studies (e.g. potential developmental, reproductive and systemic toxicity) (HEPA 2020).” Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2025