Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

Information on serum levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) for people aged 12 years and over

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Released
27/05/2025
Source
National Health Measures Survey, 2022-24

Key findings

  • Three out of the 11 types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) tested (PFOS, PFHxS and PFOA) were detected in more than 85% of the population
  • Mean PFAS levels were generally higher for older age groups than younger age groups, and generally higher in males than females
  • Mean levels for the most prevalent per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFOS, PFHxS and PFOA) were lower in Australia than those reported previously in other countries

Introduction

This article presents results from the National Heath Measures Survey (NHMS) 2022–24, which measured specific biomarkers of chronic disease and nutrition in voluntarily provided urine and/or blood samples. For people aged 12 years and over, the survey also measured 11 different types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are known to be found in human blood. For more information, see the IHMHS: Concepts, Sources and Methods.

Specific research groups in Australia currently test for over 40 different types of PFAS. The NHMS tested for 11 of the most commonly tested and understood PFAS. The results do not reflect the total level of PFAS in people in Australia.

PFAS were included in the NHMS with the aim of establishing national baseline levels of PFAS in the population for use in future monitoring, and to enable further research into their potential impacts on human health. 

About per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances

PFAS are a class of manufactured chemicals with over 15,000 identified different compounds[1]. Different types of PFAS have been used since the 1940s in industrial and consumer products, including in:

  • fire-fighting foams
  • stain and water protection materials for carpets and other textiles
  • kitchenware, food packaging and non-stick cooking surfaces[2].

Although different definitions are used worldwide, PFAS are characterised by their chemical structure, consisting of multiple fluorine atoms bonded to a carbon chain[3][4]. The OECD defines them as fluorinated substances containing “at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom”[5]. This chemical structure gives them several unique properties, including heat, stain, grease, oil and water resistance[6][7].

PFAS are sometimes called ‘forever chemicals’ and are highly resistant to physical, chemical and biological degradation[8][9]. Some are stable, while others break down in a short time but produce other PFAS chemicals that persist in the environment. Exposure to PFAS in the environment, household or occupational settings has resulted in most people in the Australian population having measurable levels of PFAS in their blood[10].

Reporting results

The level (concentration) of each PFAS in blood serum is expressed in nanograms per millilitre (ng/mL).

Results are presented for each type of PFAS individually. In the NHMS, an overall measure of PFAS cannot be produced from the sum of individual types.

Detailed analysis is only presented for PFAS types that were detected in over 80% of the population. Limited analysis has been included for PFAS types with a 60%–80% detection rate. Limited summary statistics for PFAS types with at least a 40% detection are available in the Data Downloads.

Measuring PFAS

Population detection rates

Non-detect results

Any result below the limit of quantification has been treated as a ‘non-detect’ result. A non-detect result does not mean that a person has none of that type of PFAS in their blood, just that the level was too low to be accurately measured by the test methodology. It is expected that everyone has had some level of exposure to PFAS[2]. 

In 2022–24, for people aged 12 years and over, the detection rate for:

  • PFOS (98.6%) and PFOA (96.1%) were over 95% (i.e. they were detected in over 95% of people)
  • PFHxS was 88.1%
  • five types of PFAS (PFUnDA, PFHpA, PFBS, PFHxA, 6:2-FTS) were each lower than 5%.

For the remaining types of PFAS, for people aged 12 years and over:

  • PFNA was detected in two in five (40.8%) people
  • PFHpS was detected in one in five (19.6%) people
  • PFDA was detected in one in ten (9.7%) people.
Proportion of people aged 12 years and over(a) with a detectable level of selected PFAS, 2022–24
PFASDetection rate (%)95% confidence interval (low, high)
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)98.6(98.2, 99.0)
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)96.1(95.4, 96.8)
Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)88.1(86.7, 89.5)
Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)40.8(39.0, 42.6)
Perfluoroheptane sulfonic acid (PFHpS)19.6(18.4, 20.8)
Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)9.7(8.5, 10.9)
Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA)4.0(3.1, 4.9)
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)1.5(1.1, 1.9)
Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS)0.2np
Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)0.1np
6:2-Fluorotelomer sulfonic acid (6:2-FTS)0.1np

np not available for publication

a. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.

Detection rates varied by sex for some types of PFAS. In 2022–24, for people aged 12 years and over, a higher proportion of males had a detectable level of the following types of PFAS than females:

  • PFOA (98.1% compared to 94.0%)
  • PFHxS (93.6% compared to 82.8%)
  • PFNA (42.9% compared to 38.9%)
  • PFHpS (26.2% compared to 13.1%).

PFOS detection rates were similar between males and females aged 12 years and over (99.1% and 98.3%).

  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.

PFAS levels over time

While it is expected that everyone has some level of exposure to PFAS, there have been changes in the population's exposure to PFAS over time. 

The peak exposure to PFAS in Australia is estimated to be post 1970s, with increasing levels observed in the general population between 1975–1995[11]. Since the early 2000s, there has been an effort to reduce the use of PFAS in Australia[6].

As a result, older people have been exposed to more PFAS in the past, before the decrease in use of these chemicals. This historical exposure, combined with the long elimination half-lives of many PFAS, means that levels of PFAS are likely to be higher in older people.

In addition, some older people may have a reduced capacity to excrete PFAS from the body because of reduced kidney function and cessation of menstruation[12][13]. This may also result in higher levels of PFAS.

Detection rates increased with age for several types of PFAS. People aged 75 years and over were more likely than people aged 18–24 years to have a detectable level of:

  • PFHxS (97.2% compared to 81.5%)
  • PFNA (69.9% compared to 22.2%)
  • PFHpS (53.1% compared to 5.1%)
  • PFDA (15.3% compared to 7.1%).
  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.

PFOS detection rates were above 95% for all age groups. Young adults aged 18–24 years had a slightly lower detection rate (95.3%) than people in age groups from 35 years onwards (all 98.7% or above).

PFOA detection rates were above 90% for all age groups, although were notably lower in early- to mid-adulthood (91.8% for people aged 25–34 years, and 92.7% for people aged 35–44 years) compared to:

  • children aged 12–17 years (98.6%)
  • adults in older age groups from 45 years onwards (all 96.4% or above).
  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.

PFHxS and PFOA detection rates also varied by state and territory. People aged 12 years and over living in:

  • the Northern Territory had a lower detection rate for PFHxS (70.0%) than every other state or territory, except for Tasmania (79.4%) where the difference was not statistically significant
  • South Australia had a statistically significantly higher detection rate for PFHxS (94.1%) than every other state or territory, except for New South Wales (92.6%)
  • the Northern Territory also had a lower detection rate for PFOA (90.4%) than every other state or territory, except for the Australian Capital Territory (94.2%) where the difference was not statistically significant.

PFOS detection rates for people aged 12 years and over were generally similar in all states and territories.

  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.

Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)

PFOS is a fully fluorinated, eight-carbon chain sulfonic acid. It is one of the most frequently studied type of PFAS due to widespread exposure and its capacity to build-up in humans[3][14].

PFOS isomers

PFOS exists in several different forms, called isomers, which are broadly categorised as either linear or branched, depending on their chemical structure. Linear PFOS has a simple, straight-chain structure, whilst branched PFOS isomers may have one or more side chains attached to the main carbon backbone. Total PFOS levels in the blood are the sum of linear and all branched isomers. Analysis on separate PFOS isomers is presented at the end of this section.

Total PFOS level by age and sex

In 2022–24, people aged 12 years and over had a mean total PFOS level of 1.67 ng/mL. Mean total PFOS levels were higher for older age groups, with persons aged 75 years and over recording the highest mean total PFOS level of 3.62 ng/mL.

Males aged 12 years and over had a higher mean total PFOS level than females aged 12 years and over (2.10 ng/mL compared to 1.34 ng/mL), with the size of this difference varying by age group: 

  • males and females aged 12–17 years had a similar mean total PFOS level (1.00 ng/mL and 0.89 ng/mL)
  • of people aged 18 years and over, males had a higher mean total PFOS level than females in every age group except people aged 75 years and over
  • the largest difference in the mean total PFOS level between males and females was seen in people aged 45–54 years (2.53 ng/mL compared to 1.32 ng/mL).
  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.

Total PFOS levels by geography

Of all people aged 12 years and over, people living in capital cities of Australia had a lower mean total PFOS level than people living in the rest of Australia (1.62 ng/mL compared to 1.78 ng/mL). When comparing within age groups, the difference between people living in capital cities and people living in the rest of Australia was no longer statistically different.

  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.
  2. For information on Greater Capital City Statistical Areas, see Greater Capital City Statistical Areas | Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Mean total PFOS levels also varied by state and territory. In 2022–24, for people aged 12 years and over, the mean total PFOS level was:

  • highest for people living in Tasmania (2.14 ng/mL), followed by South Australia (1.91 ng/mL) and New South Wales (1.90 ng/mL)
  • lower for people living in the Northern Territory (1.16 ng/mL) compared to any other state or territory, except for Western Australia (1.31 ng/mL) where the difference was not statistically significant.
  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.

Levels of PFOS isomers

Four PFOS isomers were measured in the NHMS, and had the following detection rates for people aged 12 years and over:

  • linear PFOS – 97.1%
  • 1-methyl branched PFOS – 53.5%
  • di-methyl branched PFOS – 1.4%
  • other-methyl branched PFOS – 91.0%.

Linear PFOS and other-methyl branched PFOS were the only isomers of PFOS measured that had detection rates above 80%. It was not possible to report results for combined branched PFOS isomers in the NHMS.

Males aged 12 years and over had a higher detection rate than females for:

  • 1-methyl branched PFOS (69.9% compared to 37.7%)
  • other-methyl branched PFOS (96.1% compared to 86.0%).

The mean levels for linear and other-methyl branched PFOS isomers varied by age. People aged 75 years and over had a higher mean level than people aged 12–17 years of:

  • linear PFOS (1.81 ng/mL compared to 0.63 ng/mL)
  • other-methyl branched PFOS (1.35 ng/mL compared to 0.24 ng/mL).

The mean linear PFOS level was higher than other-methyl branched PFOS (0.95 ng/mL compared to 0.50 ng/mL) for people aged 12 years and over. This pattern was observed within every age group.

  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.

Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)

PFHxS is a fully fluorinated sulfonic acid which is similar in structure to PFOS, but with a shorter six-carbon chain length. It is also a widely studied type of PFAS[3][14]. Total PFHxS levels were measured in the NHMS 2022–24.

PFHxS levels by age and sex

The mean PFHxS level of people aged 12 years and over was 0.70 ng/mL. Males and females had different age-related patterns for their mean PFHxS level.

The mean PFHxS level in males generally increased with each older age group, from 0.42 ng/mL for males aged 12–17 years to 1.35 ng/mL for males aged 75 years and over. However, the mean level was slightly lower in males aged 65–74 years (1.19 ng/mL) compared to males aged 55–64 years (1.38 ng/mL).

The mean PFHxS level was similar in females for all age groups between 12 and 44 years (all within 0.33–0.36 ng/mL). It was then significantly higher for each subsequent age group from 45 years onwards. Females aged 75 years and over had the highest mean PFHxS level (1.42 ng/mL).

Overall, males aged 12 years and over had a higher mean PFHxS level than females aged 12 years and over (0.96 ng/mL compared to 0.52 ng/mL). When comparing within age groups:

  • males had a notably higher mean PFHxS level than females in every age group under 65 years
  • males and females had similar mean PFHxS levels in people aged 65–74 years (1.19 ng/mL and 1.12 ng/mL) and people aged 75 years and over (1.35 ng/mL and 1.42 ng/mL)
  • the largest difference between the mean PFHxS level in males and females was seen in people aged 45–54 years (1.20 ng/mL compared to 0.45 ng/mL), similar to the trend for the mean total PFOS level.
  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.

PFHxS levels by geography

For people aged 12 years and over, there was no significant difference in the mean PFHxS level for people living in capital cities of Australia and people living in the rest of Australia (0.72 ng/mL and 0.66 ng/mL), however, there was a significant difference within the following age groups:

  • 12–17 years (0.42 ng/mL compared to 0.30 ng/mL)
  • 35–44 years (0.60 ng/mL compared to 0.49 ng/mL)
  • 65–74 years (1.26 ng/mL compared to 1.00 ng/mL).
  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.
  2. For information on Greater Capital City Statistical Areas, see Greater Capital City Statistical Areas | Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The mean PFHxS level varied by state and territory. In 2022–24, for people aged 12 years and over, the mean PFHxS level was:

  • highest for people living in New South Wales (0.92 ng/mL) and South Australia (0.90 ng/mL)
  • lowest in people living in the Northern Territory (0.44 ng/mL) and Tasmania (0.50 ng/mL).
  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

PFOA is a carboxylic acid with a fully fluorinated eight-carbon chain structure. Along with PFOS and PFHxS, there has been widespread historical exposure of PFOA[3][14]. Results are presented for total PFOA levels.

PFOA levels by age and sex

The mean PFOA level of all people aged 12 years and over was 0.83 ng/mL.

Unlike PFOS and PFHxS, there were no statistically significant differences in mean PFOA levels for younger age groups between 12 and 44 years. Mean PFOA levels for these age groups ranged between 0.66 ng/mL (people aged 25–34 years and 35–44 years) and 0.73 ng/mL (people aged 18–24 years).

In 2022–24, mean PFOA levels:

  • were higher for each subsequent group from 35–44 years (0.66 ng/mL) to 65–74 years (1.17 ng/mL)
  • for people aged 75 years and over (1.27 ng/mL) were higher than every other age group except people aged 65–74 years (1.17 ng/mL), where the difference was not statistically significant.
  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.

Females aged 35–44 years (0.50 ng/mL) had a lower mean PFOA level than females aged 12–17 years (0.68 ng/mL) and 18–24 years (0.63 ng/mL). This is unlike PFOS and PFHxS, where mean levels were similar for females in younger age groups between 12 and 44 years.

Males aged 12 years and over had a higher mean PFOA level than females aged 12 years and over (0.93 mg/mL compared to 0.75 ng/mL): 

  • Males had a higher mean PFOA level than females in all age groups between 18 and 54 years.
  • The largest difference in the mean PFOA level between males and females was in people aged 35–44 years (0.88 ng/mL compared to 0.50 ng/mL).

Males and females had a similar mean PFOA level at age 12–17 years (both 0.68 ng/mL), and then again at ages:

  • 55–64 years (1.0 ng/mL and 1.09 ng/mL)
  • 65–74 years (1.18 ng/mL and 1.17 ng/mL)
  • 75 years and over (1.28 ng/mL and 1.26 ng/mL).

PFOA levels by geography

There was no statistically significant difference in the mean PFOA level of people living in capital cities compared to people living in the rest of Australia (0.82 ng/mL and 0.85 ng/mL).

Variations in mean PFOA levels between states and territories were not as marked as those seen for PFOS and PFHxS. However, for people aged 12 years and over there were still some differences:

  • Mean PFOA levels varied from 0.68 ng/mL for people living in the Northern Territory to 0.89 ng/mL in South Australia
  • People living in the Northern Territory had a lower mean PFOA level (0.68 ng/mL) than people living in any other state or territory, except the Australian Capital Territory (0.74 ng/mL) and Victoria (0.77 ng/mL) where the differences were not significant.
  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.

Elevated PFAS levels

Currently there is no consensus on what is considered an abnormally high level of PFAS in the blood. Instead, 95th percentiles for the general population – the values at which only 5% of the population have higher levels of PFAS – can be useful when considering upper limits of background PFAS exposure.

The difference between the 95th percentile and median levels varied between types of PFAS. For people aged 12 years and over, the 95th percentile of:

  • total PFOS levels was 6.50 ng/mL, 3.9 times higher than the median (1.68 ng/mL)
  • PFHxS levels was 3.46 ng/mL, 4.7 times higher than the median (0.74 ng/mL)
  • PFOA levels was 2.37 ng/mL, 2.8 times higher than the median (0.86 ng/mL).

The 95th percentile of PFNA levels of people aged 12 years and over was 0.57 ng/mL, while the median PFNA level was below the limit of quantification (<0.21 ng/mL).

  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.

As expected, 95th percentiles of PFAS levels were generally higher in older age groups. The 95th percentile was higher for people aged 75 years and over than people aged 12–17 years for:

  • total PFOS (11.83 ng/mL compared to 3.23 ng/mL)
  • PFHxS (6.73 ng/mL compared to 1.46 ng/mL)
  • PFOA (3.12 ng/mL compared to 1.32 ng/mL).

The 95th percentiles of total PFOS levels were also generally higher in older age groups than younger age groups for males and females. The 95th percentiles trended higher for each subsequent age group from 18–24 years onwards, although the increases were generally not statistically significant from one age group to the next.

  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.
  2. The proportions for 'males' and 'females' have high margins of error and should be interpreted with caution.

95th percentile PFHxS and PFOA levels were higher in older age groups than younger age groups, however the 95th percentile increased relatively more for PFHxS than for PFOA. For people aged 12–17 years, the 95th percentile of PFHxS levels (1.46 ng/mL) and PFOA levels (1.32 ng/mL) was similar. However, for people aged 75 years and over, the 95th percentiles differed notably (6.73 ng/mL for PFHxS, and 3.12 ng/mL for PFOA).

The 95th percentile of PFHxS levels varied by age for males and females individually and did not follow the same pattern as total PFOS. There was no consistent pattern across age groups.

  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.
  2. The proportion for 'males' have a high margin of error and should be interpreted with caution.
  3. The proportions for 'males', 'females' and 'persons' have high margins of error and should be interpreted with caution.

The 95th percentile of PFOA levels varied by age for males and females and did not follow the same patterns as total PFOS or PFHxS. For females in age groups between 12 and 54 years, 95th percentiles were similar, and ranged between 1.58 ng/mL and 1.78 ng/mL. Levels were higher for females in age groups from 55 years onwards (between 2.90 ng/mL and 3.14 ng/mL).

  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.
  2. The proportion for 'females' have a high margin of error and should be interpreted with caution.
  3. The proportions for 'males' and 'females' have high margins of error and should be interpreted with caution.

PFAS by chronic disease biomarkers

While there is currently limited evidence of human disease or other clinically significant harm resulting from PFAS exposure, some studies have found associations between people exposed to PFAS chemicals and some biological effects[2].

The NHMS 2022–24 allows users to analyse PFAS levels by other NHMS variables, including biomarkers for chronic disease. However, the NHMS can only show associations between PFAS levels and chronic disease biomarkers. 

An ‘association’ to a chronic disease biomarker does not confirm a direct cause. For more information, see Correlation and causation.

The analysis presented below cannot control for all factors known to influence PFAS levels including:

  • people who are older have an increased risk for chronic disease
  • people who are older have higher PFAS blood serum levels due to a longer period of exposure to PFAS, changes in the population’s exposure to PFAS over time and the long elimination half-life of some PFAS
  • people who are older may have a reduced capacity to excrete PFAS from the body
  • a person’s individual exposure levels (e.g. past and present occupation or location).

As a result, it is not possible to determine from this analysis if higher PFAS levels are related to an increased risk of chronic disease. 

For information on chronic disease biomarkers in the NHMS please see the National Health Measures Survey 2022–24. NHMS microdata is available to researchers through the ABS DataLab.

Total PFOS levels and biomarkers of chronic disease

In 2022–24, the mean total PFOS level for people aged 18 years and over was higher for people with:

  • an abnormally high total cholesterol level, compared to those with a normal total cholesterol level (2.03 ng/mL of total PFOS compared to 1.65 ng/mL)
  • diabetes compared to those without diabetes (2.40 ng/mL of total PFOS compared to 1.78 ng/mL)
  • an abnormally low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), compared to those with a normal eGFR (3.14 ng/mL of total PFOS compared to 1.70 ng/mL)
  • albuminuria, compared to those who did not have albuminuria (1.98 ng/mL of total PFOS compared to 1.75 ng/mL).

It is important to note that an association does not confirm a direct cause. While there is an association between higher PFAS levels and some abnormally high chronic disease biomarkers this only shows a relationship between two factors. It does not show that one factor is directly responsible for change in the other.

For example, people who are older are more likely to have abnormally high cholesterol and are more likely to have higher PFAS levels. However, when comparing by age, only two age groups had significantly higher mean total PFOS levels for people with abnormally high total cholesterol levels than for people with normal total cholesterol levels:

  • People aged 25–34 years (1.33 ng/mL of total PFOS compared to 1.07 ng/mL)
  • People aged 45–54 years (2.00 ng/mL of total PFOS compared to 1.69 ng/mL).
  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.

Additionally, there were no significant differences in mean total PFOS levels across any age group for people with:

  • albuminuria compared to those who did not have albuminuria
  • an abnormally low eGFR than those with a normal eGFR
  • diabetes than those without diabetes.

PFHxS levels and biomarkers of chronic disease

In 2022–24, the mean total PFHxS level was higher for people aged 18 years and over with:

  • an abnormally high total cholesterol level than those with a normal total cholesterol level (0.85 ng/mL of PFHxS compared to 0.70 ng/mL)
  • diabetes compared to those without diabetes (0.97 ng/mL of PFHxS compared to 0.76 ng/mL)
  • an abnormally low eGFR than those with a normal eGFR (1.24 ng/mL of PFHxS compared to 0.72 ng/mL)

When broken down by age, there were no statistically significant differences in mean PFHxS levels when comparing people with an abnormally high total cholesterol level to people with a normal total cholesterol level. Similarly, there were no significant differences in mean PFHxS levels within age groups for people:

  • with diabetes compared to people without diabetes
  • with a normal eGFR compared to people with an abnormal eGFR.
  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.

There was no overall difference in mean PFHxS levels for people aged 18 years and over with or without albuminuria (0.80 ng/mL of PFHxS and 0.75 ng/mL). However, a statistically significant difference was observed between people with and without albuminuria in people aged 55–64 years (0.86 ng/mL of PFHxS compared to 1.08 ng/mL).

PFOA levels and biomarkers of chronic disease

In 2022–24, the mean total PFOA level was higher for people aged 18 years and over with an abnormally high total cholesterol level than those with a normal total cholesterol level (0.94 ng/mL of PFOA compared to 0.81 ng/mL). This was also true for the following age groups:

  • people aged 45–54 years (0.89 ng/mL of PFOA compared to 0.77 ng/mL)
  • people aged 55–64 years (1.16 ng/mL of PFOA compared to 0.97 ng/mL).
  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample was collected.

People aged 18 years and over with no presence of albuminuria had a higher mean PFOA level than people with albuminuria (0.86 ng/mL of PFOA compared to 0.77 ng/mL). People with no presence of albuminuria had a higher mean total PFOA level than those with albuminuria for:

  • people aged 35–44 years (0.68 ng/mL of PFOA compared to 0.51 ng/mL)
  • people aged 45–54 years (0.86 ng/mL of PFOA compared to 0.66 ng/mL)
  • people aged 55–64 years (1.10 ng/mL of PFOA compared to 0.76 ng/mL)
  • people aged 65–74 years (1.19 ng/mL of PFOA compared to 1.03 ng/mL).
  1. Weighted results for persons where a blood sample and a urine sample were collected.
  2. An albumin/creatinine ratio of <2.5 mg/mmol for males and <3.5 mg/mmol for females.
  3. An albumin/creatinine ratio of ≥2.5 mg/mmol for males and ≥3.5 mg/mmol for females.

People aged 18 years and over with an abnormally low eGFR had a higher mean PFOA level than those with a normal eGFR (1.16 ng/mL of PFOA compared to 0.83 ng/mL). However, like PFOS, this pattern was not significant when broken down by age.

International PFAS studies

PFAS levels in Australia appear to be within the same range as levels reported in national biomedical surveys in the United States and Canada and in studies in various countries in Europe. 

Levels for the three most prevalent PFAS analysed (PFOS, PFHxS, and PFOA) are lower in Australia than those reported from previous studies in the United States, Canada and Europe. Of these studies, blood levels for PFOS, PFHxS and PFOA were generally highest in Europe, followed by the US, then Canada, and then Australia[15][16][17]. It is important to note that these studies were undertaken at different times and have different methodologies. Comparing these results should be done with caution. As is the case in Australia, PFAS levels have been reported to be declining in humans in the last two decades in North America and Europe[14][15][18][19][20].

Mean PFAS serum or plasma levels of PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS (ng/mL) from the NHMS and other international studies– Adults
 Australia 2022–24, 18 years and overCanada 2018–19(a), 20–79 yearsUSA 2017–18(b), 20 years and overEurope 2007–08 and onwards, adults
Geometric mean and 95% confidence interval (ng/mL)Mean(c) and range (ng/mL)
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (total PFOS)

1.76

(1.71, 1.80)

2.9

(2.7, 3.1)

4.50

(4.15, 4.89)

7.5

(1.7–27.4)

Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)

0.74

(0.71, 0.77)

0.83

(0.75, 0.93)

1.11

(1.03, 1.21)

4.94

(0.2–152)

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

0.84

(0.83, 0.86)

1.2

(1.1, 1.3)

1.45

(1.35, 1.56))

2.1

(0.76–4.9)

  1. Geometric means of plasma concentrations for the Canadian population from the Canadian Health Measures Survey cycle 6 (2018–19). Results were originally presented in µg/L, which is equivalent to ng/mL.
  2. Geometric means of serum concentrations for the U.S. population from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2017–18). Results were originally presented in µg/L, which is equivalent to ng/mL. PFOS and PFOA concentrations are calculated as the sum of linear and branched isomers.
  3. Mean (arithmetic) of median serum concentrations reported in individual contributing studies (EFSA, 2020, Section 3.3.2.3). European studies with samples collected from general populations in 2007–2008 and onwards are included where median levels were reported. For studies with median concentration lower than the LOQ, the LOQ was used for calculations. For studies reporting the concentrations in ng/g, the authors assumed that 1 g = 1 mL of serum/plasma. The mean was determined from the median serum concentrations of 32 studies for PFOS, 37 studies for PFHxS, and 32 studies for PFOA.

Sources: 

Mean PFAS serum or plasma levels of PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS (ng/mL) from the NHMS and other international studies– Younger people
 Australia 2022–24, 12–17 yearsCanada 2018–19(a), 12–19 yearsUSA 2017–18(b), 12–19 yearsEurope 2007–08 and onwards, children
Geometric mean and 95% confidence interval (ng/mL)Mean(c) and range (ng/mL)
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (total PFOS)

0.95

(0.85, 1.05)

1.6

(1.4, 1.8)

2.68

(2.31, 3.12)

3.3

(0.49–8.6)

Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)

0.37

(0.33, 0.42)

0.53

(0.45, 0.62)

0.866

(0.732–1.02)

0.56

(0.30–0.81)

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

0.68

(0.63, 0.73)

0.96

(0.86, 1.1)

1.18

(1.06, 1.31)

3.3

(0.49–6.9)

  1. Geometric means of plasma concentrations for the Canadian population from the Canadian Health Measures Survey cycle 6 (2018–19). Results were originally presented in µg/L, which is equivalent to ng/mL.
  2. Geometric means of serum concentrations for the U.S. population from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2017–18). Results were originally presented in µg/L, which is equivalent to ng/mL. PFOS and PFOA concentrations are calculated as the sum of linear and branched isomers.
  3. Mean (arithmetic) of median serum concentrations reported in individual contributing studies (EFSA, 2020, Section 3.3.2.3). European studies with samples collected from general populations in 2007–2008 and onwards are included where median levels were reported. For studies with median concentration lower than the LOQ, the LOQ was used for calculations. For studies reporting the concentrations in ng/g, the authors assumed that 1 g = 1 mL of serum/plasma. The mean was determined from the median serum concentrations of 8 studies for PFOS, 9 studies for PFHxS, and 8 studies for PFOA.

Sources: 

Acknowledgements

The ABS would like to acknowledge our partnership with Sonic Healthcare Australia Pathology, who was the pathology provider for the NHMS 2022–24. 

The ABS would also like to acknowledge the assistance and advice received from specialists when compiling this article, including the following peer reviewers:

  • Paul Hunt, Director, Environmental Health Policy, Interim Australian Centre for Disease Control
  • Prof. Martyn Kirk, Head, Department of Applied Epidemiology, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University
  • Desiree Lennox, Assistant Director, Environmental Health Policy, Interim Australian Centre for Disease Control
  • Dr. Gary Lum, Principal Medical Advisor, Interim Australian Centre for Disease Control
  • Prof. Jochen Mueller, Researcher and Professor for Environmental Toxicology, The University of Queensland
  • Dr. Vanessa Prescott, Head, Prevention and Environmental Health Unit, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
  • Dr. Kayla Smurthwaite, Senior Regulatory Scientist (Toxicology), Food Standards Australia New Zealand
  • Dr. Anjum Zafar, Assistant Director, Environmental Health Policy, Interim Australian Centre for Disease Control

The ABS greatly values the knowledge, expertise and contributions of these reviewers and thanks them for their time and input.

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Footnotes

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