Food chain fears as ‘forever chemicals’ found in fish along NSW river

Three carp caught along a 10-kilometre stretch of the Belubula River in central west New South Wales have been found to have the notorious forever chemical PFOS in their livers. 

Farmers in the Blayney area caught and dissected the fish, and had the livers sent to Envirolab Services in Sydney for testing.

Farm manager Harry Grey, who caught one of the fish on the property he manages, said the discovery came amid growing community concern about PFOS pollution in the area.

“The Belubula River is absolutely central to running our cattle,” he said.

“We pump out of it, we also water our veggies with it, and we swim in it as I’m sure a lot of the other locals do too.

“It’s an extremely distressing and depressing situation.”

Perfluorooctane sulfonate, or PFOS, is one of more than 14,000 human-made per-fluorinated chemicals used by a wide range of industries for their heat, grease, and water-resistant qualities.

The chemical structure that makes the group impervious to water and heat also makes them virtually indestructible in the environment, meaning they accumulate in human and animal bodies.

The chemicals are recognised internationally as toxic to humans and wildlife and have been discontinued or are being progressively phased out in many countries, including Australia.

In the food chain

The livers from the three carp caught in the Belubula had levels of 250, 260 and 320 micrograms of PFOS per kilo.

The current Australian guidelines state fish livers should not contain more than 280 micrograms per kilo if they are to be eaten.

Although carp is hardly a staple on Australian tables, the discovery is ringing alarm bells for its ecological implications.

Dennis O’Carroll, a professor at the University of New South Wales’ School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, said the chemical’s presence in river fish was significant.

“Absolutely it’s in the food chain … [landholders] are certainly right to be concerned,” he said.

“The fundamental chemical properties of PFOS that see it bioaccumulate in fish also see it bioaccumulate in livestock, such as cattle.”

Professor O’Carroll recently fronted a parliamentary inquiry into PFAS chemicals, calling on the government to better fund investigations into the impacts of the chemicals on ecosystems.

“PFAS is showing up where we don’t expect it, so we need to get out there and make sure it’s not where we’re consuming [anything],” he said.

River in peril

A 20-kilometre stretch of the Belubula River between Blayney and Canowindra has come under increased scrutiny since farmers in the area first noticed lots of foam coming downstream in May this year.

The foam had also appeared at a popular public camping spot that is upstream from the affected landholders.

Tests revealed it was made of PFOS, diesel petrol, and heavy metals including lead, arsenic, mercury, and copper.

PFOS was found in the foam at levels up to 22,000 times the drinking water limit.

The EPA has been testing the Belubula catchment since May and has so far found the chemical was present at levels exceeding ecological guidelines in surface water, foam, and sediment lining the river banks.

Last week the watchdog announced it was focusing on a landfill site, a composting facility, and the Cadia goldmine as potential sources for PFAS contamination in the river.

“We have visited all three sites in the past week and collected ground and surface water samples for testing,” a spokesperson said in a statement.

“These results are expected to be available in the new year and will be published on our website.”