An evaluation of changes in PFAS in Airservices Australia’s Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS) and Emergency Vehicle Technician (EVT) staff and ex-staff over time.
This is a follow-up study to two previous Airservices Australia Exposure Studies conducted in 2013/2014 and again in 2018/2019, and a 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.
This research project is funded by Airservices Australia and has received ethical approval from The University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee, Approval Number: 2024/HE002577.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are manufactured chemicals that are commonly detected at low levels in the blood of many people in the general community. The PFAS in blood come from food, water, dust and everyday products. In Australia, elevated levels of PFAS concentrations in blood serum have been detected in some community and occupational groups and are likely the result of environmental exposure to aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) during the 2000s.
This is a follow-up study to two previous Airservices Australia Exposure Studies conducted in 2013/2014 and again in 2018/2019, and a 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 aims of the study are to:
- Assess if PFAS serum concentrations are changing among participants differently compared to the general population (i.e. assess if there is ongoing or new occupational exposure),
- Assess if there are any work-related factors (e.g. station, job/position) associated with observed trends in PFAS serum concentrations among ARFFS participants.
This study will also help us understand more about the relationship between PFAS levels and levels of biochemistry measurements of health. It is important to note that the study will not provide definitive advice about an individual's health, but the results will contribute to the broader research into PFAS exposure levels and potential human health associations.
Eligibility
Any current and ex-ARFFS and EVT Airservices Australia staff are eligible to participate in this study. Participants of any of our previous studies, as well as those who have not previously participated in our studies are welcome to take part.
Participation
You will be asked to complete a questionnaire and to provide a blood sample at two time points, approximately two years apart. More information is included in the Participant Information Form linked below.
If you have taken part in any of our previous studies, we will have your contact information already on file and will contact you by mail in the coming months. If you may have changed your contact information since your last participation, please update your details by using the link on the button below. If you are new to the study, please get in touch with the research team to express your interest by using the link on the button below or the options provided in the Contact Us section.
Links to more information about the study
General information about blood donations
Blood donation factsheet and FAQ
Links to information about PFASs
Learn more about PFASs from the current research and literature.
Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) – enHealth Guidance Statement
ANU PFAS Health Study Overall Summary December 2021
ANU PFAS Health Study Blood serum study December 2021
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 our participants during the study.
We plan to hold regular online information sessions where our research team can present current findings of the study 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 |
Project Team Associate Professor Leisa-Maree Toms Ms Shelby Marrington Ms Leisa King | Contact Us P: 1800 370 760 M: 0419 110 176
Postal Address PFAS Exposure Study III Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS) The University of Queensland Level 4, 20 Cornwall Street Woolloongabba QLD 4102 |