PFAS levels in the community should be monitored by parishes through anonymous blood sampling, a scientific report has recommended.
And firefighters who may have been exposed to PFAS-containing firefighting foam could be included in wider blood testing for traces of the so-called “forever chemical”, according to the draft report from the PFAS Scientific Advisory Panel.
The third report from the panel, which was published this week, has also advised that colesevelam, a cholesterol-lowering medication, should be made available to those meeting specific criteria.
A three-week public feedback period has now been launched to allow Islanders to submit their views before the report is finalised and considered by the government.
Responding to the draft report, Health Minister Tom Binet said the government’s Water Quality and Safety Board would review its findings and “give careful consideration” to the recommendations.
PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of over 14,000 man-made chemicals used in industrial processes and consumer products due to their ability to repel water, heat and oil.
These chemicals are persistent, meaning they do not easily break down in the environment or the human body, and are commonly found in items such as frying pans, outdoor clothing and food packaging.
In Jersey, PFAS contamination originated primarily from firefighting foam used for years at the Airport during training drills, which seeped into the groundwater and affected private drinking water supplies.
While mains water supplies contain only trace amounts of the chemicals and meet current UK and EU regulatory standards, some Islanders remain concerned about the long-term health risks associated with exposure and argue that the regulations do not go far enough.
The latest report recommends that blood testing be offered to firefighters and workers who handled PFAS-containing foams, as well as to those who met the criteria for the 2022 testing programme but did not participate.
Establishing background levels through anonymous sampling in parishes, the panel suggested, would also provide a clearer understanding of normal exposure levels across the Island beyond the “plume area” west of the Airport runway.
The panel added that regular monitoring through blood tests would track the effectiveness of treatments, with interventions stopping once an individual’s PFAS levels reach background levels.
Feedback on the report runs until 24 April, after which the panel will review submissions before finalising its report. The draft report is available at gov.je/PFAS, and Islanders can submit their feedback via email to PFASPanel@gov.je.
