The South Australian government is likely to ban fire-fighting foams containing all types of fluorinated chemicals, not just those of most concern, a new state EPA report shows.
More than 80 countries that are parties to a landmark new international chemicals convention concluded their first meeting on Friday, but Australia has yet to ratify it.
Harmful chemicals are the most under-rated risk facing humanity, and the world urgently needs a version of the Paris Agreement to ensure strong global action, according to the head of Australia's leading research centre on contamination.
A national snapshot of hazardous waste says tighter pollutant controls could 'fundamentally change' how biosolids are managed and describes saline water from coal seam gas projects as an enormous challenge.
Labor favours making changes to government industrial chemicals bills, to deal with concerns raised by public health experts, but it might not insist on them.
Health and environment groups have told a Senate hearing that bills to rewrite industrial chemical laws will lead to dangerous data gaps, but officials and the chemicals industry disagree.