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When humans first learned of its properties, it seemed miraculous. The fibrous mineral did not burn and could be used in everything from cooking utensils to inexpensive building materials.
After using it for thousands of years, we only learned of its cost to human health in the mid-1960s and asbestos became a dirty word, something to be feared and avoided. But it had spread throughout Australia, principally as cladding for low-cost houses.
When fragments of it began showing up in mulch across NSW, in schools and hospitals and parks, it sparked the biggest investigation ever mounted by that state's Environmental Protection Authority.
Gardens and playgrounds have been taped off and tonnes of the mulch removed. Despite this huge effort, assurances have been given that the risk to the public is low.
Some experts have even said the fuss over small amounts of bonded asbestos turning up in mulch has been an overreaction. But being safe not sorry is understandable, especially seeing some sites have turned up the much more dangerous friable asbestos.
That caution, however, does not extend to other so-called "miracle" substances that have become pervasive in modern life.
That compostable takeaway container, for instance, might make you feel fuzzy about protecting the environment from plastics. But chances are it's been treated with a type of PFAS, a chemical used to make paper greaseproof and water-resistant.
A growing body of evidence links PFAS chemicals - which don't break down - to cancer, thyroid and liver problems and even birth defects yet we happily eat food wrapped in them and drink from containers lined with them. Studies have shown that the chemicals designed to keep the burger grease and sauce in the wrapper can be ingested into the human body.
It's not only humans at risk from forever PFAS chemicals. They've been found in the blood of animals around the world, even polar bears. Last year, a review of more than 100 peer-reviewed studies of PFAS contamination in animals found 330 species of animals had been affected.
In the US, food packaging companies are reducing the use of some kinds of PFAS but the chemical is still widely used in manufacturing. Chances are you're exposing yourself using that non-stick wok in your kitchen which is coated with a type of PFAS.
While the recent focus has been on asbestos, the waste industry has been concerned for some time about PFAS making its way into compost. Peter Wadewitz, chair of the Australian Organics Recycling Association, says the only way to keep the forever chemicals out of the organics recycling stream is to limit its use at the head of the supply chain in the first place.
"Restricting the use of PFAS is the only way to reduce its presence in our waste streams because once it is present then the genie is already out of the bottle," he told the Waste Management Review last year, in an article calling for more realistic regulation of PFAS in organic recycling products.
When dangerous levels of PFAS were detected in groundwater at the site of Western Sydney University's planned centre of excellence, the EPA said the chemical was likely to have come from contaminated landfill rather than the RAAF base at Richmond, which had used firefighting foam containing the chemical. The contamination was so bad the site for the centre had to be abandoned.
While we should be concerned about asbestos turning up in our parks and gardens, we should not lose sight of the other dangers that lurk in the environment, the legacy of "miracle" products which have turned out to be curses.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Do our governments enough to protect us from exposure to harmful chemicals? Have you taken steps in your own home to reduce your exposure to forever chemicals? Email us: echidna@theechidna.com.au
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- Scott Morrison has declared he will leave Parliament unburdened by any bitterness which "can so often haunt post-political lives", in a final speech laden with references to his Christian faith. Parliamentarians rose to applaud Australia's 30th prime minister on Tuesday afternoon as he concluded an emotional valedictory speech.
- The majority of Australians are in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza, new polling reveals. In excess of 80 per cent support a ceasefire while more than half want stronger action from the government to achieve this, according to a poll commissioned by Oxfam Australia.
- Tasmania's only university will be prevented from selling certain land without parliamentary approval under a Liberal government promise to keep the facility at its current campus. The University of Tasmania has faced criticism over its proposed shift from its suburban Hobart home to the city's CBD.
THEY SAID IT: "When we drink a cup of coffee or spoon heated chicken noodle soup or chili out of a Styrofoam cup, we are also taking in small doses of chemicals that leach from the container. Heat activates this transfer, as does oil, acids and alcohol." - Chuck Norris
YOU SAID IT: Working from home is under the Fair Work Commission microscope as big business tries to cajole white collar workers back to the office.
"I think over time working from home could lead to more obesity, depression, loneliness and dementia," writes Lorraine. "Heading into the office at least two or three times a week is much better for your mental health and socialisation."
Sharon from Coonamble writes: "Working from home arrangements also encourage participation from rural and remote workers, potentially retaining high quality employees who otherwise due to a tree change may not have opportunities to continue in their profession."
"Sensible people except politicians understand that some jobs are not suited to working from home, others are suitable and many are somewhere between," writes Arthur. "A happy worker is much more productive than a discontented one. Big brother is not required in negotiations between bosses and employees and should butt out."
In 2010, Garry R. started running his business from home. "My profit suddenly became several times larger now that I had no office employees or manager. My wife handled the dispatching of orders. My monthly operating costs dropped form $10,000 a month to $2500 a month. How many times must this sort of cost saving apply long-term to big businesses? Of course the unfairness of this is that our tradies, police, nurses and doctors etc. and physical labourers etc. will never be able to do this."
"Not having workers in the office must be incredibly frustrating for micromanagers and control freaks," writes Jennifer. "Teamwork and social benefits can only accrue where there is some time where everyone gets together, while concentrated thinking and strategic planning can only occur when there's silence and a lack of interruptions. Clearly there's a need for both. Five days in an open plan office does not allow this. Nor does it allow unwell workers to use what little energy they have on actual work, as they're exhausted by the time they've showered, dressed and commuted to the office. The greatest productivity is possible where there is flexibility for workers, not just for businesses."
Sue writes: "Benefits of working from home keep coming to light: the need for less office space, the reduction in sick days taken/needed, less demand on public transport and other infrastructure, the possibility of converting office space into much needed housing. So why does big business want white collar workers back in the office? Is it a control issue? To my mind, it is unfortunate that there are not more opportunities for alternative working conditions. One of the benefits of COVID has been that there is less pressure to attend work when you 'just have a cold', and a much greater appreciation of the consequences of spreading illness. Being able to work at home when sick rather than spreading your illness, is a social benefit we should all be appreciative of. I enjoy my daily exposure to the Echidna and hope your dose of COVID passes easily."
"I can respect people have different work preferences and that accommodating these will improve productivity," writes Paul. "When I was working full-time I found the discipline of going into work (including the getting ready and travel) was better for me in focusing my mind and being productive. I also found the corridor interactions uplifting and often informative. I also found that having a definite end to the day - 'leaving the office' - provided a theoretical cut-off to work (although emails and messaging reduced the benefit of that, probably starting from the time Blackberries came in). The interaction between right to disconnect, working from home and more flexible hours will be interesting to watch - perhaps workers will need a virtual flag that shows when they are working and when they are not."