NSW farmer Alastair McLaren has lost hundreds of thousands of dollars due to PFAS contamination, but he's not one of the 30,000 people who will be compensated over the toxic chemicals.
His paddock to plate beef business unravelled after it was revealed in 2019 the land was contaminated with PFAS."It was devastating. As a producer you don't want to sell contaminated product to people," Mr McLaren said. Some studies from the United States and Europe have connected PFAS exposure to diseases such as cancer, but there isMr McLaren estimates those who will receive a payout will get as little as $2,000 once fees are taken out of the settlement.
She says her children have different health issues which would be related to PFAS chemicals: "Muscle cramps, itchy skin when we're showering, drying of the skin, cholesterol.""With the settlement, it allows us to possibly move on," she said.