Current and former SA firefighters return high levels of toxic PFAS chemicals following blood tests

Former and serving SA firefighters have returned “concerning” levels of potentially deadly toxins, and the Metropolitan Fire Service is warning staff not to “interact with the soil at all worksites”.

Street view of the Largs North MFS building. Up to 10 firefighters there have returned extremely high levels of PFAS chemicals in their blood.

• Defence Department investigating extent of PFAS contamination
• Concerns of West Beach chemical breach
• Committee recommends compensation for property owners
• Claims chemicals leached into groundwater near RAAF base

Former and serving South Australian firefighters have returned “concerning” levels of potentially deadly toxins, and the Metropolitan Fire Service is warning staff not to “interact with the soil at all worksites”.

Recent blood tests by the MFS of 207 firefighters found 82 returned above-average levels of perfluorinated compounds (PFAS).

It is used in firefighting foam and has been linked to cancer in overseas studies.

The MFS says it is investigating what it believes is “an internationally developing issue”.

The use of PFAS on Australian Defence Force land has recently been the subject of a Federal Government inquiry.

Earlier this year, SA became the first state to ban the use of PFAS firefighting foams through legislation.

There is debate about the environmental and health impacts associated with the use of PFAS chemicals. While overseas studies have linked PFAS, which does not break down, to cancer in people and animals, there is yet to be an Australian study that has found a casual link.

But the MFS told The Advertiser it is concerned at the results and is especially so in the case of one particular site.

MFS assistant chief fire officer Roy Thompson

While the blood samples have been de-identified, MFS assistant chief fire officer Roy Thompson said the organisation had been informed that up to 10 firefighters at Largs North station had returned extremely high levels of PFAS in their blood. “Yes, we were informed about that,” he said.

MFS scientific officer Krystle Mitchell said a “safe” level of PFAS had not yet been established, while every blood sample had some level of the chemical in them, even people had never come into contact with the foam.

A trial is being conducted that has found any level in the blood above 10 nanograms a millilitre is considered a higher concentration of the chemical. The Advertiser understands that the 10 firefighters at Largs North station have returned samples containing more than 100ng/ml, and in some cases 250ng/ml and even 470ng/ml.

Dr Geoffrey Verrall has been contracted by the MFS to interpret and discuss PFAS test results with the firefighters.

He said “there is no effective treatment for exposure to PFAS”.

The firefighters at the station said they could not comment when contacted by The Advertiser on Friday.

The use of PFAS on Australian Defence Force land has recently been the subject of a Federal Government inquiry.

In a memo sent to staff on Friday, chief MFS officer Michael Morgan wrote that it was important to note that a fuel storage facility was previously adjacent to the Largs North station.

And as an interim measure, MFS personnel have been advised not to “interact” with the soil at all worksites, including the consumption of produce from the station such as fruit, vegetables or eggs.

It has also been recommended that they wear dust masks for gardening at any of the sites because PFAS can be ingested through dust.

Mr Thompson said professional services contractor GHD would visit the Largs North station on Tuesday to undertake surface water and soil testing. “It (the high PFAS levels) is very concerning to us,” he said.

“The health and safety of our personnel is very important to us.”

Mr Thompson said the staff members who returned samples above 10ng/ml would be given access to counselling and support from the MFS.

Testing on former and current staff has been extended until June 30.