PFOS and PFOA to be banned in South Australia
The State Government has announced its intention to ban the future use of potentially hazardous firefighting foams containing certain perfluorinated chemicals and substances in South Australia to protect waterways and groundwater.
Environment Minister Ian Hunter said that the EPA would undertake consultation and work with the industry to determine the best approach to implement the ban.
The initiative will make South Australia one of only two states to take such a proactive stance against these chemicals.
The ban will apply to the use of firefighting foams containing PFOS or PFOA or any other chemicals that degrade to PFOS or PFOA.
While the use of firefighting foams containing PFOS and PFOA have been largely phased out in South Australia, some stockpiles of these foams still exist.
“This measure aims to eliminate uncertainty about their future use and potential contamination risks to waterways and groundwater,” Mr Hunter said.
The Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) has stopped using firefighting foams containing PFOS and PFOA and has replaced them with effective alternatives for industrial applications that are not harmful to waterways and groundwater.
The State Government will require any existing stocks of foams containing PFOS or PFOA or chemicals that degrade to PFOS or PFOA be withdrawn from use.
