Warning over 'seriously dangerous' discovery at popular Aussie campsite

Aussies visiting a popular camping spot along a picturesque riverbend are being warned after toxic chemicals, known as "forever chemicals", were found to be polluting the water and wreaking havoc on the surrounding environment.

The popular Bakers Shaft Reserve is a "beautiful spot" alongside the Belubula River, near Mandurama, NSW, where activities including fishing, swimming and camping are common. However, the recent discovery of PFOS, perfluorooctane sulfonate, has prompted a serious health warning to those visiting the area.

While the chemical has been beneficial across a range of industries thanks to its water and flame-resistant qualities, PFOS is problematic as it does not break down in the environment or our bodies if consumed.

"Humans can readily absorb PFOS but our bodies have trouble removing it, so it is an accumulating toxin. It accumulates in the liver," University of Western Sydney Associate Professor Ian Wright told Yahoo News Australia.

And alarmingly, it's recently been discovered in drinking water in some catchment areas and most recently at this spot that's popular with tourists.

NSW's Environment Protection Authority (EPA) began testing in the upper Belubula River catchment area in May, in response to community concern about foam in the river.

In a statement to Yahoo, an EPA spokesperson said while PFOS levels at Bakers Shaft Reserve have been found to be "above ecological guidelines" they are "below the current drinking water and recreational water quality guidelines."

"The presence of PFOS in the environment does not necessarily mean there is a risk to human health, however identifying sites that need investigating is an important precaution to reduce the risk of community exposure to PFOS," they said.

However through his own testing, Wright disagrees.

He fears the EPA may not have tested "the whole system" as he did, which includes sediment along the river bank and foam that snagged between rocks and collected in the shallows.

"People camp at this spot. It really is beautiful. I have seen up to 30 to 40 people camped and day visitors. My biggest worry is that people drink from the river — even using river to 'boil the billy'," he said.

While it's still safe to swim, Wright advised parents to be "very cautious with children". He said he's "particularly concerned" that children could be attracted to these 'bubble-bath-like patches' which have "enormous concentrations" of PFOS.

"They are seriously dangerous, but they look like innocent fun," he said."I know that the EPA is investigating, but I think they may not have tested these foam patches".

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Currently there "is no signage warning people" of the chemicals found in the water but Wright argued "there should be". "I have warned the EPA of my concerns about PFOS in the river," he said.

As for swimming, "when we swim, we can't help but drink a little water" so there "should be signs warning people to avoid drinking water," he explained.

And if people fish from the river, which is known for its thriving population of cod, "they should not eat them, I'd just catch and release".

"I recommend that tests be conducted [by the EPA] on fish to determine if they are safe to eat. I have seen people fishing on the river, it is actually a very popular fishing river."

The EPA said it's continuing its water quality monitoring program in the area.

PFOS has been widely used in everyday items such as fire-fighting foam, non-stick cookware, clothing, furniture, insecticides and food packaging. In animals, lifetime exposure has been linked to:

Increased risk of testicular and kidney cancer

Lower birth weight in babies

Reduced kidney function

Altered immune system function

Later age for starting menstruations

Earlier menopause

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