Dangerous groundwater contamination levels found at and near RAAF Edinburgh but no clear health threat

DANGEROUS levels of groundwater contamination have been found at and near the Edinburgh RAAF base ahead of a public meeting on the issue this week.

• Defence investigates claims cancer-causing toxins have leached into groundwater and on to properties surrounding Edinburgh RAAF base
• Residents and workers near RAAF Edinburgh may get free blood tests

DANGEROUS levels of groundwater contamination have been found at Edinburgh RAAF base – but there is no clear health threat to nearby residents at this stage, according to latest tests.

A Federal Defence Department fact sheet, released this month, said about 860 sites on and off the base had been tested since an investigation into the contamination started in 2016.

It found levels of the toxic chemicals – perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) – in shallow groundwater at non-residential sites, both on and off the base.

The levels were “above the health-based guideline values” in some cases, according to the fact sheet.

However, there are no reports of residents drinking shallow groundwater, and tests of bores on residential properties have not detected the chemicals.

The toxic foam being used at RAAF Darwin.

A Defence Department spokeswoman said the tests showed that the chemicals were “largely contained on base, with the off-base soil samples at this time below the human health guidance values”.

She would not comment further on the matter, or reveal how many sites had recorded high levels of the chemicals.

The department is expected to reveal further details of extensive testing across the sites at two public meetings in Salisbury on Wednesday.

Further tests will be done on and around the base during the rest of this year.

The department is also conducting a risk assessment to better understand the threat of the chemicals to people and the environment.

In the US, government reports have shown that high exposure to the chemicals have increased levels of prostate, kidney and testicular cancer.

The chemicals were used at the base for 30 years in firefighting foams, which were phased out across Australian defence bases in 2004.

Sites around Australia potentially contaminated by PFOS and PFOA.

In March, tests revealed that toxic chemicals had been found at seven of 12 on-base sites and six of eight properties in the neighbouring area.

However, the levels were not believed to be high enough to be considered dangerous at the time and more tests were ordered.

The ongoing investigation forms part of a national inspection of 18 defence bases, which is expected to be completed by 2018.

Community meetings to update residents on the findings will be held on Wednesday, November 1, at St John’s Anglican Church, Church St, Salisbury. Presentations will be made at 2pm and 6pm.

People can also call the investigation hotline on 1800 957 770.