Banning certain types of microwavable popcorn, dental floss and menstrual products is the solution to stopping cancer-causing "forever chemicals" entering waterways, MPs have been told.
Days after an investigation found 30,000 residents near Sydney may have been exposed to high levels of PFAS chemicals for decades, state MPs heard from a US scientist who has studied the synthetic chemicals' effects on humans.
Shiwen Li's study in January found the group of 15,000 chemicals are also associated with cancers in the digestive, oral and respiratory systems, on top of already-known associations with kidney and testicular cancer.
Drinking water was a likely reason for higher concentrations of the chemicals in humans, Dr Li said.
"As long as you don't cut off the exposure sources, PFAS chemicals are going to keep accumulating and a (rise) to health effects," he told the NSW parliament's PFAS inquiry on Tuesday.
"PFAS was associated with cancers in the organ system like oral cavity, pharynx, lung, digestive system, brain, urinary system and thyroid."
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are toxic, synthetic chemicals dubbed "forever chemicals" because of their inability to break down.
They exist in products such as plastic-wrapped food, firefighting foam and cooking appliances and have been linked to causing cancer.
Minnesota, where PFAS manufacturer 3M has several plants, in January became the first US state to ban the chemicals in 11 categories of consumer products.
Reporting requirements kick in in 2026, with all non-essential use of PFAS in products prohibited from 2032.
"It's a problem we have to deal with when we wash our hands, brush our teeth, do our laundry, cook dinner and it's a problem that we'll be dealing with for decades," State Senator Judy Seeberger told the NSW inquiry on Tuesday.
"PFAS was everywhere in dental floss, menstrual products, cookware, microwave popcorn and food containers."
Minnesota found 98 per cent of landfills leaked PFAS chemicals into its waterways.
An eight-month WaterNSW investigation into high PFAS levels in drinking water dams was released on Friday, identifying three potential sources of contamination dating as far back as 33 years ago.
Health authorities say current drinking water meets existing guidelines and is safe to drink.
Blue Mountains residents are preparing a lawsuit to force the government to pay for community-wide blood testing and compensation.
The federal government updated its PFAS management plan in March, including guidance for investigations, repairing contaminated land, recovering products and reusing wastewater solids contaminated with the chemicals.
The NSW government last changed PFAS legislation three years ago by reducing the amount of the chemical in firefighting foam.
Queensland is the latest state to reform its laws by banning some of the chemicals.
