The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has released for consultation two new PFAS-related guidelines.

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, are manufactured chemicals that have been used in a range of industrial and consumer products since the 1950s.

They are of concern around the world because they are not broken down in the environment and can bioaccumulate in food and travel through groundwater.

All Australian states and territories are dealing with legacy PFAS issues, and the substances have been found at low levels across of a range of land uses.

This is the first time the EPA has provided formal guidelines for site suitability and the re-use of PFAS-contaminated waste soils.

As part of the EPA’s PFAS management regulatory strategy, it has released: a draft PFAS-contaminated waste disposal site suitability guideline and a draft PFAS in waste soils guideline.

Australia’s Environment Ministers endorsed the first PFAS National Environmental Management Plan (NEMP) in January 2018.

It provides governments with a consistent, practical, risk-based framework for the environmental regulation of PFAS-contaminated materials and sites.

The draft guidelines are consistent with the NEMP but provide guidance tailored to South Australian environmental legislation.

The EPA will host two digital information sessions – one on each draft guideline – and invites interested members of the community to join online.

Visit www.engage.epa.sa.gov.au/guidance-for-managing-pfas-in-sa for the draft guidelines, session dates and further information.

The consultation period will end on March 1.