The Friends of Gippsland Lakes (FOGL) are inviting the community to a free public presentation by Dr Bradley Clarke on ‘forever chemicals’ or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Dr Clarke is the lead researcher for the Australian Laboratory on Emerging Contaminants (ALEC) and has published numerous papers on PFAS, including a recent study on the Burrunan dolphins of the Gippsland Lakes and Port Phillip Bay. This study (which he co-authored) found these critically endangered dolphin populations to have the highest reported concentrations of PFAS in the world.
“PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been used in a wide range of products, including firefighting foam, non-stick cookware, personal products (including tampons) and food packaging. “They have been linked to a range of health problems, including cancer and reproductive issues,” Heather Oke, president of FOGL, said.
“If you use non-stick cookware, floss your teeth, use tampons, sunscreen, swim regularly in the Lakes, eat some locally caught fish and shellfish hunt and eat ducks from known hotspots, and wear high-tech wet weather gear for instance, then it’s possible you’ve been exposed to PFAS.
“This is not about creating public panic, but about the community understanding the risks from a reputable scientist who’s a world-renowned expert on PFAS contamination,” she said.
Dr Clarke’s lecture will provide an overview of PFAS, including their history, uses, and environmental and health impacts. His presentation will be followed by a Q&A session afterwards, giving attendees the opportunity to ask questions.
This free presentation is a unique opportunity for will be held on Thursday, May 30, from 6pm-7pm at St Mary’s Church Hall, 23 Pyke Street, Bairnsdale.
