Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, aka PFAS are a group of over 14,000 synthetic “forever chemicals”. 

Discovered in the late 1930s, and manufactured from the 1940s, for use in industrial products and a wide range of household items including clothing, firefighting foams, sunscreen, furniture protectors, food packaging, non-stick cookware and cosmetics. Think waterproof, oil proof, stain proof - meaning human exposure is widespread.

Often termed “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down, and whilst it's well known that PFAS exposure in humans can cause a multitude of health issues including cancer, hormone disruption, reduced immunity and increased cholesterol, the science world is becoming increasingly concerned about the impacts of PFAS to our environment and wildlife. 

Each and every day over 3 thousand million litres of semi-treated sewage, microplastics and industrial waste, including PFAS is dumped via outfalls into Australia’s oceans and waterways. We are concerned about the health of our ocean, ocean users and marine life.

The data and research around impacts to our oceans and waterways cannot be ignored:

These forever chemicals in our oceans and waterways originate from human activities - production (industry), utilisation (consumer), and incorrect disposal (incomplete removal from wastewater treatment plants).

Clean Ocean Foundation is playing its part to raise community awareness about this unsustainable practice of using our coastline and waterways as a “virtual toilet”. 

We, as guardians of the environment don’t want to be judged by future generations for today’s apathy and inaction.

Our government and water corporations can’t continue to use the ocean as a dumping site because they don't know what to do with these chemicals.

Clean Ocean Foundation’s prime objectives are to protect our ocean ecosystem, raise awareness of sustainable waste water management practices and close Australia’s ocean outfalls.

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