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Abstract Submission
29-31 October 2014 – Jupiters Casino, Gold Coast, Australia
Fluorochemicals in the Environment - Australian Policy Development
and International Strategic Directions
Dr Jimmy Seow1
1
Department of Environment Regulation, Locked Bag 33, Cloister Square, Perth WA
6850, AUSTRALIA
jimmy.seow@der.wa.gov.au
Session Fluorchemicals - Contaminants of Emerging Concern, 10 – 10.40 am,
Thursday 30 th October 2014.
Keywords: Fluorochemicals, PFOS, PFOA, fluorotelomer, firefighting foam policy
Abstract
Fluorochemicals (such as PFOS, PFOA and fluorotelomers) containing fluorinated carbon
chains do not occur naturally in the environment. It is widely used in a whole range of industrial
applications from textiles, preservatives, fluoropolymer, surface treatment, food packaging,
hydraulic oil, cosmetics, floor wax, polish, paint and lacquer to fire-fighting foams.
The impact of fluorochemicals on the environment and human health due to their persistence,
bioaccumulation and toxicity (PBT) are now well documented, established and recognised
worldwide, in particular in the United States of America (USA), Canada, United Kingdom (UK),
Sweden, Norway, Germany and Australia. As a result, firefighting foam users are now using
foams with fluorotelomers (6:2 FTS) or foams which are fluorine free (F3).
Many countries have now taken steps to ban, curtail or restrict the use of fluorochemicals in
firefighting foams. For example, PFOS in firefighting foams is no longer allowed.
Fluorochemical manufacturers in the US and Canada have phased out PFOS manufacture and
have implemented a Global Stewardship Program to drastically reduce levels of PFOA in
products by 2015. Norway and Germany intend to legislate to restrict the use of PFOA. In May
2009, the Stockholm Convention was rectified to ban PFOS production and use of PFOS and its
salts; together with perfluorooctane sulphonyl fluoride (PFOSF). PFOS is now restricted under
Annex B of the Convention. Foams with fluorotelomers (6:2 FTS) are currently allowed to be
used.
There are other issues related to use of fluorochemicals that need still to be resolved such as
the operational use of foams with fluorochemicals, contaminated sites investigation/ remediation
acceptance criteria,and treatment and disposal.
In Australia, currently there is no position or policy to address all the above issues and the
Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and the WA Department of
Environment Regulation is currently drafting a policy to address it. The policy addresses foam
usage, foam environmental acceptable criteria, training foams, contamination site investigation
and remediation values and landfill acceptance conditions.
2014 EcoForum c/- Australasian Land & Groundwater Association (ALGA)
40 Hoddle St, Robertson NSW 2577
Ph 1300 789 719 m 0409 531 305
Abstract Submission
29-31 October 2014 – Jupiters Casino, Gold Coast, Australia
Speaker Biography
Dr Jimmy Seow has a PhD in soil science, geomorphology and catchment management from
University of Western Australia and MSc. (Hon) in Earth Sciences from Waikato University New
Zealand. Dr Seow has over 30 years’ experience in Environment, Health and Safety and
Emergency Management having worked in Government, Oil and Gas, Mining, Environment
Consultancy, Environmental and Information Technology and Research.
Currently Dr Seow is Manager Pollution Response WA Department of Environment and
Regulation. He is responsible for emergency responses to pollution, chemical and Hazmat
incidents and emergencies. Dr Seow is also a member of three WA state emergency
management committees - WestPlans Hazmat, CBRN and Marine Oil Pollution.
In March 2013 Dr Seow published a review paper on fluorochemicals which discussed its
environmental impact and legislation and policies on its use, and jointly drafting the policy on
Management of Fire Fighting Foam with the Queensland Department of Environment and
Heritage Protection.
Dr Seow is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at Curtin University WA lecturing on emergency
management and Hazmat response, and a Research Fellow at HLP University Malaysia.
2014 EcoForum c/- Australasian Land & Groundwater Association (ALGA)
40 Hoddle St, Robertson NSW 2577
Ph 1300 789 719 m 0409 531 305