04/11/2025
PFAS Blood Testing
On 17 October 2023, the Industrial Relations Commission ratified the Crown Employees (Fire and Rescue NSW Permanent Firefighting Staff) Award 2023 and the Crown Employees (Fire and Rescue NSW Retained Firefighting Staff) Award 2023 and, as a result, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) blood testing will be available on a voluntary basis to all FRNSW firefighter’s and fleet staff that are currently employed.
PFAS are a group of manufactured chemicals that were first produced in the 1940s and 1950s. These chemicals have unique properties that include water repellence and molecular stability, and as such they were used in the manufacture of numerous commercial and industrial products such as upholstery, textiles, hydraulic fluid, non-stick cookware and Scotchguard™. Two main groups of PFAS used in industry are perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).
Historically, Fire and Rescue NSW, along with many other Australian and international fire agencies, used firefighting foams that that contained perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and other types of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). PFOS was present in two types of firefighting foams previously produced by the 3M company: Aqueous Film Forming Firefighting Foams (AFF) and Alcohol-Type Concentrate (ATC). The manufacture of both products has now ceased. Chemical compounds that degrade to PFOA were present in Niagara and Tridol S, both manufactured by Angus Fire Armour.
PFOA has been listed by the Stockholm Convention as a persistent organic pollutant (POP), due to its persistence in the environment, widespread distribution, and toxicity in ecosystems. PFOS has also been proposed for listing as a POP by the convention.
PFAS exposure has been associated with:
increased levels of cholesterol in the blood
increased levels of uric acid in the blood
reduced kidney function
alterations in some indicators of immune function
altered levels of thyroid hormones and s*x hormones
later age for starting menstruation in girls, and earlier menopause
lower birth weight in babies.
However, the differences observed in the above associations have generally been small and unlikely to cause significant negative health outcomes. Potential associations between PFAS exposure and increased risk of two uncommon cancers, namely testicular and kidney cancer, have also been reported. Much of this evidence relates specifically to PFOA, rather than PFOS or PFHxS. PFOA is commonly found within the general community in Australia, studies of these cancers remain conflicting, and associations have mainly been observed in high exposure groups, such as workers in international factories where PFOA is produced. Based on the current scientific evidence in November 2023, PFOA was classed as a Group 1 carcinogen to humans and PFOS maintained its classification as possibly carcinogen to humans (Group 2B)
It is important to recognise an association between any chemical and a health issue does not mean that the chemical caused that health issue. To date, a causative relationship between the above health effects and PFAS exposure has not been established. It is because the health issues are unknown, and concern has been raised that there is now strong regulations around the use of PFAS.
Reference - https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-02/enhealth-fact-sheet-on-per--and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas_0.pdf.
For a detailed timeline showing when PFAS-containing foam was phased in and out, as well as other milestones relating to this issue, please see: Timeline - FRNSW Historical Use of PFAS-Containing Foam
Is participating in the PFAS Program Mandatory?
No, the PFAS Blood Testing Program is not mandatory. It is offered on a voluntary basis.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that are used to make products resistant to heat, stains, grease, and water. Learn more about PFAS, the potential effects of PFAS exposure, and what we’re doing about PFAS in Australia.
