Nationwide defence base contamination crisis confirmed
POTENTIALLY deadly toxins have been detected at Defence Force bases nationwide.
- Defence to test homes and properties around Edinburgh for toxins
- Erin Brockovich to advocate on behalf of SA contamination victims
THE Australian Defence Force is battling a contamination crisis as the same potentially deadly toxins detected at the Edinburgh RAAF base have been found at 12 other defence bases across the country.
The Defence Department has released results from preliminary testing it carried out to determine if cancer-causing per-fluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were present in groundwater or surface water at its defence bases.
It shows PFAS was detected at 12 bases in Queensland, NSW, Victoria, WA and the Northern Territory.
It also revealed that contamination levels at the Townsville RAAF base, HMAS Creswell/Jervis Bay Range Facility and HMAS Stirling bases were higher than permitted under Federal Health Department standards.
“It must be stressed that these results are a snapshot of PFAS presence only,” a Defence Department report read.
“Detailed environmental investigations are now required to gain a full understanding of the nature and extent of PFAS present at each property.”
The initial inquiry was launched earlier this year amid concerns that perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) – which are part of the PFAS group of chemicals – had leached into groundwater and surface water.
The toxins, which do not break down in the environment, have been linked to cancer in people and animals.
The chemicals were used in firefighting foam at defence bases until about 2004.
The department has previously told The Advertiser PFOS and PFOA had been detected at the Edinburgh RAAF base during toxin checks that were separate from the preliminary testing program.
It announced in August it would launch a major investigation into contamination at the base and on surrounding properties.
The department is yet to release results from the Edinburgh RAAF base but has pledged to make public results from the major investigation, which will begin by the end of the month and take a year to complete.
The inquiry will determine the level and extent of contamination in the area.
It came at the urging of Salisbury Council and the SA Environment Protection Authority after tests detected PFOS and PFOA in the nearby Kaurna Park and Edinburgh South wetlands, which have since been shut down.
The department held a public meeting in Smithfield Plains last week to discuss the investigation.
US contamination crusader Erin Brockovich, whose fight against toxic groundwater was portrayed in a Hollywood movie starring Julia Roberts, last month vowed to advocate on behalf of those affected by contamination at and around the Edinburgh RAAF base.
Defence bases in Oakey, Queensland and Williamtown, NSW, have also tested positive for the chemicals.