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West Gate Tunnel Project: Pfas Factsheet

The document provides information about PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination found at the West Gate Tunnel Project site. It summarizes that PFAS are man-made chemicals used in many products, can accumulate in human and animal bodies, but current evidence shows low levels do not pose health risks. Testing at the tunnel site found low PFAS levels, requiring preventative measures to safely manage contaminated soil during construction to protect workers and the public.

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Sajjad Anwar
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33 views

West Gate Tunnel Project: Pfas Factsheet

The document provides information about PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contamination found at the West Gate Tunnel Project site. It summarizes that PFAS are man-made chemicals used in many products, can accumulate in human and animal bodies, but current evidence shows low levels do not pose health risks. Testing at the tunnel site found low PFAS levels, requiring preventative measures to safely manage contaminated soil during construction to protect workers and the public.

Uploaded by

Sajjad Anwar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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WEST GATE TUNNEL PROJECT:

PFAS FACTSHEET

Key points: bodies of humans and animals for years. Due


• Low levels of PFAS in soil are not harmful to to everyday exposure to small amounts in dust,
the public, during soil removal, relocation air, food, water and contact with consumer
or disposal. products containing these chemicals, it would
be not unexpected for people to have low levels
• PFAS has been widely used, in Australia, of PFAS in their blood system.
and globally, since the 1940s, in a range of
everyday applications. 3. How could PFAS affect me?
• Most people are exposed to small amounts of Scientific understanding about the potential
PFAS every day in dust, air, food, water and health implications of PFAS is still developing.
contact with consumer products containing The Australian Government established an
these chemicals. Expert Health Panel for PFAS, to advise the
Australian Government. The panel found there
• Scientific understanding about the potential
is limited to no evidence of human disease or
health implications of PFAS is still developing.
other clinically significant harm resulting from
The Australian Government established an
PFAS exposure at this time. Importantly, the
Expert Health Panel for PFAS, to advise the
Panel concluded there is “no current evidence
Australian Government. The panel found there
that suggests an increase in overall cancer risk”.
is limited to no evidence of human disease or
other clinically significant harm resulting from As a precaution, the Environmental Health
PFAS exposure at this time. Standing Committee (enHealth) recommends
minimising PFAS exposure wherever possible.
• Despite these findings, the Victorian
Governments across Australia provide site-
Government has a strong track record
specific advice to people living near PFAS
of taking a conservative, safety focused
investigation areas, on ways to reduce
approach to the management of PFAS.
their exposure.
1. What are PFAS?
4. Why is PFAS an issue for the West Gate
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Tunnel Project?
are manufactured chemicals, used in products
Initial testing shows low levels of PFAS can
to resist heat, oil, stains and water. Some
be expected when tunnelling starts, which
PFAS have been widely used, in Australia,
has triggered preventative measures. Finding
and globally, since the 1940s, in a range of
contaminants in soil unearthed during major
applications, such as firefighting foams, stain
infrastructure construction is common,
and waterproofing products, cosmetics and
especially around former and existing industrial
sunscreens, kitchenware and medical devices.
and commercial sites. We are able to manage
2. Why is there concern about PFAS? the soil safely under guidelines provided by
PFAS chemicals take a long time to break down the Environment Protection Authority Victoria
in the environment and can travel through soil (EPA Victoria).
and water. PFAS can build up and remain in the

This fact sheet has been prepared in consultation with the


EPA to provide information about PFAS for the community.

Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne


5. What steps are being taken to protect For more information please contact
the public? West Gate Tunnel Project via either:
The Project is implementing precautionary W: westgatetunnelproject.vic.gov.au
measures to ensure there is no risk to public P: 1800 105 105
safety. This includes reducing dust, covering E: [email protected]
trucks during transportation, and working with
EPA Victoria to protect groundwater. PFAS are
not harmful to the public during soil removal,
relocation or disposal. Worksafe is also involved
in checking that soil handling procedures are
meeting the requirements of the Occupational
Health and Safety Act 2004.
6. What about West Gate Tunnel
Project workers?
We are following strict regulatory protocols
to identify and manage soil, to look after the
safety of workers, the community and the
environment. We do this in conjunction with
regulatory bodies, including WorkSafe and
EPA Victoria.
7. Where can I find out more about PFAS?
Commonwealth and State government agencies
are developing online resources detailing the
latest understanding, approach and advice
about PFAS.
They include:
– Commonwealth PFAS website
https://www.pfas.gov.au
– Commonwealth Department of Health
website
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/
publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-pfas.htm
– EPA Victoria
https://ref.epa.vic.gov.au/your-environment/
land-and-groundwater/pfas-in-victoria

This fact sheet has been prepared in consultation with the


EPA to provide information about PFAS for the community.

Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne

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