This data set gives students the opportunity to investigate one of today's most important environmental challenges: PFAS, often known as the "forever chemicals".
You may not have heard much about PFAS, but they have been widely used in everyday products including cosmetics, sunscreen, waterproof clothing, dental floss and even food packaging. Because these chemicals are highly resistant to breaking down, they can remain in the environment for a very long time.
Using real data produced by ANSTO scientists, teachers can get students to:
- Explore what PFAS are and why they are an environmental concern
- Investigate the presence of PFAS in fibre-based food packaging in Australia
- Analyse authentic scientific data and develop data science skills
- Examine the impact of human-made chemicals on the natural world
- Learn how ANSTO is supporting industry initiatives to phase out PFAS in fibre-based food packaging