Cash is being offered to residents to tell their stories about living with PFAS contamination in a study launched by the Australian National University.
The ANU is conducting the study into the health risks of living with PFAS on behalf of the Federal Government.
ANU is coordinating Phase II of the epidemiological project — Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): an epidemiological study—in Oakey, Queensland, Williamtown, New South Wales and Katherine.
The Research School of Population Health and external collaborators are conducting the PFAS Health Study under contract to the Federal Department of Health.
The job of study co-ordinator for the project is being advertised by ANU in a salary range of $115,729 - $128,825 per annum plus 17% superannuation.
The study has received more than $2 million in funding from the Federal Government.
Five focus group discussions have already been announced for Oakey, with participants to receive a $50 cash voucher on the completion of the discussion.
An ANU spokeswoman today said: “We will be holding focus groups in Katherine as well, but that will be at a later date.
“Until mid-December 2017 this study did not include Katherine, so the early planning for the current focus groups was based on the communities in Williamtown and Oakey only.
“We will be running focus groups in Katherine in the coming months, pending all ethics approvals.
“We are also planning on running some community consultation sessions in February/March to discuss the study with all community members, we will let you know the dates for those consultations in the coming weeks.”
The focus groups are described as "an opportunity... to discuss issues related to living in a PFAS investigation area and to shape the direction of the next phase of our research".
"The purpose of these discussions is to gather information about the social and health-related experiences and views from current residents and workers exposed to PFAS.
Feedback from the study groups will feed into the study into the effects of PFAS chemicals.
The Oakey sessions are expected to be held at the end of this month.
For more information – email pfas.health.study@anu.edu.au.
The study explained by ANU.
Chris McLennan
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
