What Adelaide Uni's new PFAS research means for our patients
14 April 2026 ·
New research from Adelaide University, published this week, has found that chemicals commonly present in South Australian tap water — known as PFAS — can damage embryos at exposure levels currently considered safe by health authorities. The findings, published in the journal Environmental Research, are the first of their kind and are directly relevant to anyone trying to conceive or undergoing fertility treatment.
We know this may feel alarming. Here's what the study found, what it means for you, and the practical steps you can take right now.
This is emerging research. The study was conducted in mice, not humans, and current regulatory guidelines have not been updated. You do not need to panic - but there are simple, low-cost steps that you can take to reduce your exposure while research continues.
What are PFAS?
PFAS chemicals are man-made, long-lasting chemicals that are resistant to degradation. Widespread use of these chemicals throughout the world over decades means trace levels are now present in the environment, food and drinking water.
What did the study find?
Researchers at Adelaide University's Robinson Research Institute exposed female mice to tap water collected from Adelaide's CBD and four metropolitan residences. The water was not altered — it contained only the PFAS chemicals already present at concentrations matching Adelaide's municipal supply.
After just four weeks of drinking this water, the mice showed reduced embryonic cell numbers, DNA damage, and impaired embryonic viability. After six months, offspring were born at lower birth weights — a finding linked to increased risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life.
Most significantly, the abnormalities appeared to be passed on to the next two generations — the daughters and granddaughters of the exposed mice — suggesting an intergenerational effect. Antioxidant treatment did not reverse the damage.
— Dr Yasmyn Winstanley, Robinson Research Institute
The three chemicals studied — PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS — are the most common PFAS compounds detected in drinking water.
What the researchers found about filtration
Here is the most actionable finding from the study: carbon filtration was shown to remove PFAS from tap water, and mouse embryos given filtered water were protected from the effects seen in the tap water group. This gives patients a practical, accessible option to reduce exposure.
What we recommend for our patients
Based on the research, we suggest the following steps for anyone currently trying to conceive, undergoing IVF or egg freezing, or in early pregnancy.
Switch to carbon-filtered water
A benchtop or under-sink carbon filter can remove PFAS. This is the most effective step you can take based on current evidence.
Avoid boiling as a solution
Boiling water does not remove PFAS chemicals — it concentrates them. A filter is the right approach, not a kettle.
Reduce PFAS in food, too
PFAS are also present in some food packaging, non-stick cookware, and processed foods. Whole foods, fresh produce, and stainless-steel or cast-iron cookware can help reduce overall exposure.
Keep this in perspective
This is important research — especially because it was conducted using actual Adelaide tap water at real-world concentrations. We take it seriously. At the same time, we want to be honest with you: this was an animal study, and the leap from mouse models to confirmed human outcomes involves significant uncertainty. The researchers themselves have called for further work, and regulatory bodies have not yet changed their guidelines.
We will continue to monitor this research closely. The Robinson Research Institute team is already working on the next steps, including testing new water remediation technologies. We will update our recommendations as the evidence develops.
Source: Winstanley Y et al., Robinson Research Institute, Adelaide University. Published in Environmental Research, April 2026. Funded by the Channel 7 Children's Research Foundation.