The aim of our project is to investigate the changes over time in PFAS concentrations in the blood serum of individuals who are known to have elevated exposures to PFAS. Individuals from exposed communities in Williamtown, Oakey and Katherine and from exposed occupational groups such as firefighters who have previously had their blood collected and analysed for PFAS and have elevated PFAS concentrations in their blood serum are invited to take part in this study.
This research project is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and has received approval from The University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee, Approval Number: 2020002077 and the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Northern Territory Department of Health and Menzies School of Health Research, Approval Number: 2020_3923.
PFASs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are manufactured chemicals that are present in the environment, in foods and food packaging, various consumer products and in industrial applications, including fire-fighting foams. The extensive use, distribution and manufacture of products containing PFASs has resulted in widespread exposure of individuals and the environment. The general population is exposed to background levels of PFASs through food, drinking water and house dust. As a result, PFASs can be detected in blood serum samples of the general population. Certain populations have higher levels of PFASs exposure, particularly those who have produced or worked with these chemicals. Some communities living in environments that have experienced exceptional contamination may also be exposed to high levels of PFASs.
The current research study aims to measure change in the concentration of PFASs in blood of individuals who may have had higher exposure and to understand what factors are associated with the reduction of PFASs in the blood. Efforts have been made in exposed communities and occupational groups to control the exposure of PFASs in the environment. By collecting and analysing blood from individuals in exposed communities and occupational groups at different times, we can determine how effective these efforts to control exposure have been and to better understand why some individuals’ PFAS levels reduce faster than others and, for those people whose PFAS levels are not decreasing as we expect, try to understand why this may be the case.
This study will also help us understand more about the relationship between PFAS levels and levels of other biochemical measurements of health. The study is designed to contribute to the broader research into PFAS exposure and their potential association with human health issues.
Fact Sheets
General Information about Blood Donations
Blood Donation Factsheet and FAQ
Infographic for our Community participants
Infographic for our Fire Fighter participants
Related Research Projects
Following detection of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in the mains water at Avalon Airport in October 2022, Airservices Australia invited Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS) to assist with a study with the aim of better understanding the Avalon Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service (ARFFS) staff exposure to PFAS. The study found evidence that the elimination of PFAS can be increased, and that blood donation can be an effective to reduce PFAS serum concentrations. The study report is available below.
Information about participation in the study
Information for community participants
Information for firefighters and occupationally exposed participants
Frequently Asked Questions (coming soon)
If you have a specific question about the study or your participation, please contact us by using the link on the button below or the options provided in the Contact Us section.
Counselling and Support Services
Links to information about PFASs
PFAS Australian Information Portal
Australia - Expert Health Panel for PFAS: Summary
The PFAS Health Study - Systemic Literature Review
The PFAS Healthy Study - Focus Groups Study
Our research team are very keen to keep in touch with all participants and interested community members regarding the project.
While we had planned to regularly visit each community to present our findings, restrictions around COVID-19 have prevented this from happening so far. Until travel and holding face-to-face meetings is possible, we plan to hold regular webinar or online events where our research team can present current findings of the project and where our participants can ask any questions. Email updates will be sent to participants and will be updated on this webpage.
Study updates and Upcoming Events
| Date | Event |
| January 2025 | PFAS Exposure Study III For our firefighter cohort, a new study will be commencing shortly. This will be a follow-up study to the two previous Airservices Australia Exposure Studies conducted in 2013/2014 and again in 2018/2019, and the subsequent study funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (2020-2025). The overall objective of this study is to continue to assess PFAS exposure among current and former Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service (ARFFS) and Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT) employees by measuring PFAS blood concentrations over time. The research team will be contacting existing participants and reach out to new participants in the coming months to invite them to take part. Further communication will be made, initially through Airservices Australia’s communication channels, to all eligible staff once we have received approval from our Human Research Ethics Committee. |
| December 2023 | Information Session Recordings If you missed the information sessions on 11th and 13th December, links for recordings and video of the sessions are below: Session 1, Monday 11th December Thank you to all of our participants in the study. If you have not already provided your second sample for PFAS analysis, there is still time. If you require the pathology paperwork to be sent to you, please contact our office on 1800 370 760 or pfasstudyuq@uq.edu.au.
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| August 2023 | Study Update - With the second phase of blood sample collections now underway, the research team present an update of the project’s activities and findings thus far. Please click on the links below for a study infographic for each of our study cohorts. Infographic for our Community participants |
Early 2023 | Second blood collections commence. Pathology paperwork will be sent in the mail. Please update any changes to your contact details by contacting our office or using the link on the ‘Contact Us’ page. |
21/12/2021 | PFAS results for participants’ first blood sample have been sent in the mail. Please contact us by phone or email if you have not received your results. |
Project TeamInvestigatorsEmeritus Professor Bruce Armstrong Project StaffMs Shelby Marrington Ms Leisa King | Contact UsProject StaffShelby Marrington and Leisa King P: 1800 370 760 M: 0419 110 176 General Participation EnquiriesPlease call our toll free number, text or call our mobile or send us an email for any queries related to your participation. P: 1800 370 760 M: 0419 110 176 Postal AddressPFAS Exposure Study QAEHS Level 4, 20 Cornwall Street Woolloongabba QLD 4102 Australia |
Your Community Liaison Officers
To assist communication between our participants, community members and the research team a Community Liaison Officer has been engaged in each community. Please feel free to contact your Community Liaison Officer if you have any questions about the study. You are also welcome to contact the research team on the numbers above.
| Oakey | Katherine | Williamtown |
| Amanda Evans | Position currently open - looking for applicants. | Jarrod Sansom |
| Phone: 0487 547 015 | Phone: 0447 089 690 | |
| Email: aevans8724@gmail.com | Email: jarrod.sansom4@gmail.com |
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