The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has ordered testing at Botany Bay beach next to Sydney Airport due to potential contamination with cancer-causing 'forever chemicals'. This is the first testing since 2018, following the discovery of PFAS in fish species caught in the area. The beach, known as Tower Beach, is popular with young families for swimming and fishermen, despite existing 'No swimming, no fishing' signs erected by the airport in 2023.
The state’s environment watchdog has ordered testing at a popular beach next to Sydney Airport amid concerns that young families are swimming and fishermen are casting their lines in water that may be polluted with cancer-causing “forever chemicals”.
The council, however, did not respond to questions about whether it was confident the beach was safe for swimming. Official state government maps show the beach is not on Sydney Airport land. A spokesperson for the EPA said the NSW government “proactively tested commonly caught fish in Botany Bay and the Georges River, including Tower Beach, in response to concerns about potential PFAS contamination”.
PFAS substances are better known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in the environment, and are linked with cancer, high cholesterol and immune system dysfunction.Despite the fish consumption warnings and the signs, families with young children continue to splash in the water alongside top racehorses while fishermen still cast their lines into Tower Beach, on the Botany Bay foreshore.
It has had no power to compel investigations because the airport is on Commonwealth land and regulated by the federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development.
PFAS Cancer Sydney Airport Botany Bay Water Contamination
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