NSW Health Expert Advisory Panel on PFAS

In April 2025, the NSW Chief Health Officer convened an expert advisory panel on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The panel’s purpose was to provide advice on effective communications to the community and health providers, and the role of blood testing for PFAS and epidemiological studies with the current available evidence.

The panel membership included:

clinical expertise across toxicology, primary care, public health, pathology, oncology, cardiology, and endocrinology
academic expertise across risk communication and applied epidemiology.

The panel consisted of a diverse group of experts in a range of disciplines, including those with existing knowledge of the scientific literature on potential health impacts, epidemiology and potential interventions to reduce PFAS in blood. The panel brought this knowledge, in addition to the papers prepared for the meetings, to critically appraise the evidence and draw conclusions.

The panel provided advice on

the clinical utility of blood testing in communities with PFAS exposure
the role of epidemiological studies for health outcomes in these affected communities
how to communicate risks to these affected communities and health care providers in the context of evolving evidence and
evidence of health effects, future priorities for research and investigation of PFAS.