Labor lashes government over Defence investigation into possible groundwater contamination around Edinburgh RAAF base

THE Defence Department has “had its head in the sand” over carcinogenic poisons in groundwater and the Government should be “ashamed of its inaction”, Labor says.

Fears that cancer-causing toxins have leached into groundwater and on to properties surrounding the RAAF base at Edinburgh, have prompted a Defence Department investigation.

• Probe into claims of cancer-causing toxins surrounding RAAF base

THE Defence Department has “had its head in the sand” over carcinogenic poisons in groundwater and the Government should be “ashamed of its inaction”, Labor says.

The Opposition will release its policy on the issue on Saturday after The Advertiser revealed on Thursday that the Defence Department was investigating possible contamination at the RAAF base at Edinburgh.

Firefighting foam with toxins that can cause a range of cancers and other disorders was used at the base until 2004.

Opposition defence spokesman Stephen Conroy told The Advertiser that if elected, Labor would establish a national taskforce to respond to contamination.

“The Government and Defence have had their head in the sand on this issue. The Government should be ashamed of its inaction,” he said.

The contamination was first discovered interstate, so the Defence Department will now take ground samples around Edinburgh. The harmful “perfluorinated chemicals” were found in NSW and Queensland.

The SA tests should be finished by the end of July.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon also raised concerns on Thursday the toxins may have leaked into groundwater at Adelaide Airport.

An expert on the chemicals — perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) — warned that the toxins could be in housedust, borewater, seafood from nearby water, or meat from animals eating the grass.

National Toxics Network senior adviser Dr Mariann Lloyd-Smith warned they could cause increased risk of cancers, as well as pre-eclampsia, hormonal issues, memory impairment, reduced foetal growth and increased cholesterol.

However, the Health Department says the evidence of them causing harm in humans is inconclusive.

Adelaide University public health scientist and risk assessor Len Turczynowicz said residents near the base should take precautions to minimise the risk of exposure to potentially harmful chemicals that may have leached into groundwater while the tests were carried out.

“One of the concerns with these types of substances is they are quite residual and they persist in the environment, including groundwater,” Mr Turczynowicz said.

“I think that obviously if you can avoid the exposure that’s something you want to do. Obviously you would restrict coming into contact with that water … (and) minimise exposure until better data is available.” Senator Conroy will announce today that Labor would:

FUND 10,000 voluntary blood tests at affected sites.

DEVELOP a nationally consistent approach for screening, management and remediation.

CREATE a national intergovernmental taskforce to co-ordinate the response.

“We recognise that perfluorinated chemical contamination is a serious issue that requires a co-ordinated and consultative response by all levels of government,” he said.

“Defence has identified 18 sites known or likely to have used substantial quantities of perfluorinated chemicals on site — including RAAF Base Edinburgh.

“It is critical that local communities, including those near RAAF Base Edinburgh, are provided with accurate and timely information and that government responds to this issue in a clear, transparent and accountable manner.”

The Defence Department has set up a website to give updates on the investigations. There is also a hotline on 1800 365 414.