Psychological distress in three Australian communities living with environmental per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination

Environmental chemical contamination is a recognised risk factor for psychological distress, but has been seldom studied in the context of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. We examined psychological distress in a cross-sectional study of three Australian communities exposed to PFAS from the historical use of aqueous film-forming foam in firefighting activities, and three comparison communities without environmental contamination.

Citation:
Lazarevic N, Smurthwaite KS, Batterham PJ, …… Clements ACA, Joshy AL, Hosking R, et al. Psychological distress in three Australian communities living with environmental per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination. Sci Total Environ. 2023;874

Keywords:
Anxiety; Distress; Environmental contamination; Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances; Somatisation

Abstract:
Environmental chemical contamination is a recognised risk factor for psychological distress, but has been seldom studied in the context of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. We examined psychological distress in a cross-sectional study of three Australian communities exposed to PFAS from the historical use of aqueous film-forming foam in firefighting activities, and three comparison communities without environmental contamination.