❓ A WA parliamentary question probes the Department of Health regarding potential health risks to children from pharmaceutical products in water, food, and biosolids used as pasture improvers, specifically concerning Anandale Farm. The Minister responds that current levels are considered insignificant and no specific testing is required beyond heavy metals and pesticides.
AnsweredQoN 819Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to answers to question without notice 721 provided on 22 September. (1) Does the Western Australian Department of Health acknowledge any potential adverse health impacts resulting from the ingestion by children of water or food products containing incompletely metabolised pharmaceutical products including oestrogen, antibiotics and antidepressants? (2) What levels of such unmetabolised pharmaceutical products in biosolids does the Department of Health consider is acceptable for use as a pasture improver? (3) Can the minister table the scientific basis on which those acceptable levels have been established? (4) Is the Department of Health aware of the level of unmetabolised pharmaceutical product in the biosolids intended to be stored and distributed for use on pastures from Anandale Farm, Gillingarra? (5) If not, what steps does the minister intend to take to rectify the serious gap in the advice provided by the Water Corporation? Hon SUE ELLERY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health acknowledges overseas settings in highly polluted areas where endocrine disruptors have plausibly been associated with adverse effects on children. No data on Australian cases is available. Overseas pollution effects have largely been water related and not associated with biosolids or food. Levels commonly found in food of a range of compounds including pharmaceutical products, phthalates, trace pesticides and trace household products are too low to cause childhood effects. (2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(1) Does the Western Australian Department of Health acknowledge any potential adverse health impacts resulting from the ingestion by children of water or food products containing incompletely metabolised pharmaceutical products including oestrogen, antibiotics and antidepressants? (2) What levels of such unmetabolised pharmaceutical products in biosolids does the Department of Health consider is acceptable for use as a pasture improver? (3) Can the minister table the scientific basis on which those acceptable levels have been established? (4) Is the Department of Health aware of the level of unmetabolised pharmaceutical product in the biosolids intended to be stored and distributed for use on pastures from Anandale Farm, Gillingarra? (5) If not, what steps does the minister intend to take to rectify the serious gap in the advice provided by the Water Corporation? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health acknowledges overseas settings in highly polluted areas where endocrine disruptors have plausibly been associated with adverse effects on children. No data on Australian cases is available. Overseas pollution effects have largely been water related and not associated with biosolids or food. Levels commonly found in food of a range of compounds including pharmaceutical products, phthalates, trace pesticides and trace household products are too low to cause childhood effects. (2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(2) What levels of such unmetabolised pharmaceutical products in biosolids does the Department of Health consider is acceptable for use as a pasture improver? (3) Can the minister table the scientific basis on which those acceptable levels have been established? (4) Is the Department of Health aware of the level of unmetabolised pharmaceutical product in the biosolids intended to be stored and distributed for use on pastures from Anandale Farm, Gillingarra? (5) If not, what steps does the minister intend to take to rectify the serious gap in the advice provided by the Water Corporation? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health acknowledges overseas settings in highly polluted areas where endocrine disruptors have plausibly been associated with adverse effects on children. No data on Australian cases is available. Overseas pollution effects have largely been water related and not associated with biosolids or food. Levels commonly found in food of a range of compounds including pharmaceutical products, phthalates, trace pesticides and trace household products are too low to cause childhood effects. (2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(3) Can the minister table the scientific basis on which those acceptable levels have been established? (4) Is the Department of Health aware of the level of unmetabolised pharmaceutical product in the biosolids intended to be stored and distributed for use on pastures from Anandale Farm, Gillingarra? (5) If not, what steps does the minister intend to take to rectify the serious gap in the advice provided by the Water Corporation? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health acknowledges overseas settings in highly polluted areas where endocrine disruptors have plausibly been associated with adverse effects on children. No data on Australian cases is available. Overseas pollution effects have largely been water related and not associated with biosolids or food. Levels commonly found in food of a range of compounds including pharmaceutical products, phthalates, trace pesticides and trace household products are too low to cause childhood effects. (2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(4) Is the Department of Health aware of the level of unmetabolised pharmaceutical product in the biosolids intended to be stored and distributed for use on pastures from Anandale Farm, Gillingarra? (5) If not, what steps does the minister intend to take to rectify the serious gap in the advice provided by the Water Corporation? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health acknowledges overseas settings in highly polluted areas where endocrine disruptors have plausibly been associated with adverse effects on children. No data on Australian cases is available. Overseas pollution effects have largely been water related and not associated with biosolids or food. Levels commonly found in food of a range of compounds including pharmaceutical products, phthalates, trace pesticides and trace household products are too low to cause childhood effects. (2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(5) If not, what steps does the minister intend to take to rectify the serious gap in the advice provided by the Water Corporation? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health acknowledges overseas settings in highly polluted areas where endocrine disruptors have plausibly been associated with adverse effects on children. No data on Australian cases is available. Overseas pollution effects have largely been water related and not associated with biosolids or food. Levels commonly found in food of a range of compounds including pharmaceutical products, phthalates, trace pesticides and trace household products are too low to cause childhood effects. (2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health acknowledges overseas settings in highly polluted areas where endocrine disruptors have plausibly been associated with adverse effects on children. No data on Australian cases is available. Overseas pollution effects have largely been water related and not associated with biosolids or food. Levels commonly found in food of a range of compounds including pharmaceutical products, phthalates, trace pesticides and trace household products are too low to cause childhood effects. (2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health acknowledges overseas settings in highly polluted areas where endocrine disruptors have plausibly been associated with adverse effects on children. No data on Australian cases is available. Overseas pollution effects have largely been water related and not associated with biosolids or food. Levels commonly found in food of a range of compounds including pharmaceutical products, phthalates, trace pesticides and trace household products are too low to cause childhood effects. (2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(1) The Department of Health acknowledges overseas settings in highly polluted areas where endocrine disruptors have plausibly been associated with adverse effects on children. No data on Australian cases is available. Overseas pollution effects have largely been water related and not associated with biosolids or food. Levels commonly found in food of a range of compounds including pharmaceutical products, phthalates, trace pesticides and trace household products are too low to cause childhood effects. (2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(5) See answer to (4).
(1) Does the Western Australian Department of Health acknowledge any potential adverse health impacts resulting from the ingestion by children of water or food products containing incompletely metabolised pharmaceutical products including oestrogen, antibiotics and antidepressants? (2) What levels of such unmetabolised pharmaceutical products in biosolids does the Department of Health consider is acceptable for use as a pasture improver? (3) Can the minister table the scientific basis on which those acceptable levels have been established? (4) Is the Department of Health aware of the level of unmetabolised pharmaceutical product in the biosolids intended to be stored and distributed for use on pastures from Anandale Farm, Gillingarra? (5) If not, what steps does the minister intend to take to rectify the serious gap in the advice provided by the Water Corporation? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health acknowledges overseas settings in highly polluted areas where endocrine disruptors have plausibly been associated with adverse effects on children. No data on Australian cases is available. Overseas pollution effects have largely been water related and not associated with biosolids or food. Levels commonly found in food of a range of compounds including pharmaceutical products, phthalates, trace pesticides and trace household products are too low to cause childhood effects. (2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(2) What levels of such unmetabolised pharmaceutical products in biosolids does the Department of Health consider is acceptable for use as a pasture improver? (3) Can the minister table the scientific basis on which those acceptable levels have been established? (4) Is the Department of Health aware of the level of unmetabolised pharmaceutical product in the biosolids intended to be stored and distributed for use on pastures from Anandale Farm, Gillingarra? (5) If not, what steps does the minister intend to take to rectify the serious gap in the advice provided by the Water Corporation? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health acknowledges overseas settings in highly polluted areas where endocrine disruptors have plausibly been associated with adverse effects on children. No data on Australian cases is available. Overseas pollution effects have largely been water related and not associated with biosolids or food. Levels commonly found in food of a range of compounds including pharmaceutical products, phthalates, trace pesticides and trace household products are too low to cause childhood effects. (2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(3) Can the minister table the scientific basis on which those acceptable levels have been established? (4) Is the Department of Health aware of the level of unmetabolised pharmaceutical product in the biosolids intended to be stored and distributed for use on pastures from Anandale Farm, Gillingarra? (5) If not, what steps does the minister intend to take to rectify the serious gap in the advice provided by the Water Corporation? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health acknowledges overseas settings in highly polluted areas where endocrine disruptors have plausibly been associated with adverse effects on children. No data on Australian cases is available. Overseas pollution effects have largely been water related and not associated with biosolids or food. Levels commonly found in food of a range of compounds including pharmaceutical products, phthalates, trace pesticides and trace household products are too low to cause childhood effects. (2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(4) Is the Department of Health aware of the level of unmetabolised pharmaceutical product in the biosolids intended to be stored and distributed for use on pastures from Anandale Farm, Gillingarra? (5) If not, what steps does the minister intend to take to rectify the serious gap in the advice provided by the Water Corporation? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health acknowledges overseas settings in highly polluted areas where endocrine disruptors have plausibly been associated with adverse effects on children. No data on Australian cases is available. Overseas pollution effects have largely been water related and not associated with biosolids or food. Levels commonly found in food of a range of compounds including pharmaceutical products, phthalates, trace pesticides and trace household products are too low to cause childhood effects. (2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(5) If not, what steps does the minister intend to take to rectify the serious gap in the advice provided by the Water Corporation? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health acknowledges overseas settings in highly polluted areas where endocrine disruptors have plausibly been associated with adverse effects on children. No data on Australian cases is available. Overseas pollution effects have largely been water related and not associated with biosolids or food. Levels commonly found in food of a range of compounds including pharmaceutical products, phthalates, trace pesticides and trace household products are too low to cause childhood effects. (2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health acknowledges overseas settings in highly polluted areas where endocrine disruptors have plausibly been associated with adverse effects on children. No data on Australian cases is available. Overseas pollution effects have largely been water related and not associated with biosolids or food. Levels commonly found in food of a range of compounds including pharmaceutical products, phthalates, trace pesticides and trace household products are too low to cause childhood effects. (2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The Department of Health acknowledges overseas settings in highly polluted areas where endocrine disruptors have plausibly been associated with adverse effects on children. No data on Australian cases is available. Overseas pollution effects have largely been water related and not associated with biosolids or food. Levels commonly found in food of a range of compounds including pharmaceutical products, phthalates, trace pesticides and trace household products are too low to cause childhood effects. (2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(1) The Department of Health acknowledges overseas settings in highly polluted areas where endocrine disruptors have plausibly been associated with adverse effects on children. No data on Australian cases is available. Overseas pollution effects have largely been water related and not associated with biosolids or food. Levels commonly found in food of a range of compounds including pharmaceutical products, phthalates, trace pesticides and trace household products are too low to cause childhood effects. (2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(2) The Department of Health does not set a level but keeps a watching brief on overseas and national debate. Typical levels of the most pharmaceutically active compounds, the oestrogens, in sewage effluent remain at nanogram levels; that is, one part in one thousand million, some orders of magnitude below endogenous production in children. As such, no guideline level is necessary. Recent reviews in eastern States during guideline development have also decided against the requirement for a level to be set. Current levels are of no human pathological significance. (3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(3) See answer to (2). (4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(4) See answer (2). As levels are too low to be of significance, the Department of Health does not require testing. Guidelines are set for heavy metals and pesticides. (5) See answer to (4).
(5) See answer to (4).
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