Researchers at the Australian National University published a “PFAS Health Study,” commissioned by the Australian government, which investigates several potential health effects of PFAS in three Australian communities with known environmental contamination of PFAS—Katherine in the Northern Territory, Oakey in Queensland, and Williamtown in New South Wales. The study was conducted using focus group discussions, blood testing of PFAS concentrations in serum and biochemical markers of health, a survey of PFAS exposure history, and data linkages to examine perinatal outcomes, childhood development, and cancer and cause-specific mortality outcomes. The study found evidence of elevated concentrations of PFAS in residents and workers in the three communities. The study began with a literature review in which the researchers identified some possible associations between PFAS and elevated blood cholesterol, as well as impacts on kidney health, kidney cancer and testicular cancer, and an effect on responses to certain vaccines. However, the study identified only elevated psychological distress in the groups studied as well as elevated serum cholesterol concentrations. The study did not demonstrate any causal connection between PFAS and other health outcomes investigated (kidney health, kidney cancer and testicular cancer, and vaccine effectiveness).
