A warm, tranquil day at the is a cherished pastime for many Australians.

However, recent concerns about the safety of the beaches have surfaced, as it could disrupt the Aussie summer season.

An NSW-based environmental watchdog sounded the alarm over a potential contamination at a popular beach.

The main culprit? Hazardous substances called 'forever chemicals'.

Botany Bay's Tower Beach, also called Commonwealth Beach, has been under scrutiny for contamination by per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

These chemicals have been notorious for persisting in the environment.

Locals and tourists flock Botany Bay's Tower Beach for stunning sunsets and views. Image Credit: Google Maps

The said PFAS has also been linked to several types of cancer, which raised health concerns.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) ordered freshwater testing on the beach for the first time since 2018 after receiving dietary advice.

According to the advisory, fish caught within the Tower Beach area had traces of PFAS, which could cause health issues.

The presence of PFAS in Botany Bay has been attributed to the use of firefighting foams at the Botany Industrial Park and Sydney Airport.

Airservices Australia's recent sampling detected PFAS in surface and groundwater within the airport precinct.

However, the area's industrial history made it more challenging to pinpoint the exact source of contamination.

The NSW EPA's move to conduct further testing came after residents' recent frustration over the lack of news regarding the beach's closure.

NSW resident Terry Daly shared that children in the area frequented the beach to play, unaware of the potential dangers.

The NSW government has been proactive in addressing the local community's concerns.

The state has restricted groundwater use since 2006 and has also established precautionary dietary advice in 2018.

However, the recent outcry from the community prompted a renewed focus on ensuring the safety of the beach and its visitors.

The NSW EPA emphasised the importance of transparency and community awareness regarding the contamination.

'While the State does not have jurisdiction over Sydney Airport, the NSW Environment Protection Authority will conduct further testing in the area to provide updated information about Tower Beach to the community,' an NSW Government spokesperson stated.

'The expectation is that landholders will update signage in line with that advice as soon as possible.'

Key Takeaways

• An NSW environmental watchdog ordered new water testing at Tower Beach due to concerns over PFAS contamination.
• Residents have criticised the state for their lack of transparency regarding the beach's condition.
• The NSW EPA acknowledged the historical use of firefighting foams at the Botany Industrial Park and Sydney Airport, as it could be a potential source of the PFAS.
• Current dietary advice warned against consuming fish from Botany Bay, and further testing will confirm if this advice remains valid.

What do you think of this issue with Tower Beach? Have you noticed any changes at your local beach recently? Join the conversation and share your thoughts about this pressing issue in the comments section.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I walk pass this beach alot and never knew it had a name.

It's the end part of the beach at Kyeemagh which is next to Brighton Le Sands .
This beach is a beach mainly where people go to take their dogs for a swim. It's known as doggy beach .

It's not so much popular as a beach but is very popular for fishing. I'm not sure why because not much fish to catch.

My husband and son stopped fishing there years ago because of the contamination levels. If you did catch fish you would definitely not eat it.

I always thought it had something to do with the Port Botany oil refinery which is opposite or the airport which is next to it.

I'm surprised this is just coming out now

 

[Suzanne rose]

I was just telling hubby about this and ge agreed that people have known of the contamination for years.
He reminded me how a friend of ours worked at the university of NSW he worked collecting soil samples including from the bottom of waterways . He told us years ago that the water in that area as well as surrounding waterways was contaminated and he believed it came through Orical or Orico

 

[Veggiepatch]

In the scholarly journal, Environmental Research, namely the article Estimation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) half-lives in human studies: a systematic review and meta-analysis (2023), the estimated mean half-life ranged from 1.48 to 5.1 years for PFOA, from 3.4 to 5.7 years for total PFOS, and from 2.84 to 8.5 years for PFHxS.

"Forever" chemicals? Pfft!

The knee jerk reaction of some authorities and "alternative" independent organisations has to be brought into line.

Source: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935123025471

 

[Brody]

In my Growing Up Years,
I frequently went to that Beach etc.
I understand that , that was a
long time ago, however I feel
Sorry for the people and
Children especially that do not
have the use of the place as I did.
Shame on you for allowing
this area to be left unattended
for this incredible amount of time. As well as putting it into
"the too hard basket"
Do something now , before it is
to late .

 

[Miss Jewel]

The tiny plastic balls that were used in scrub type bathing products are now contributing to the plastics found on beaches. When we used the bathroom products directly on our skins, have we triggered cancer caused by the PFAS?
Worrying about people being contaminated at the beach seems a lot like shutting the barn door after the horses have bolted.

 

[Luckyus]

Are you swimming in toxic waters? Environment group flags shocking find in one popular beach. Going by this headline I thought it may have been about Blind Mullet swimming about?​

 

[marni]

Talk to all the landholders in the Williamstown area in nsw. It is c as liked a red zone