EPA tests waterways near Melbourne Airport for dangerous chemicals
THE EPA has warned people to steer clear of creeks and rivers around Melbourne Airport, while it tests the waterways for dangerous chemicals that could have leached into them. Here’s what you need to know.
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THE EPA has warned people to steer clear of creeks and rivers around Melbourne Airport, while it tests the waterways for dangerous chemicals that could have leached into waterways.
The authority says people and pets should keep away from creeks and rivers near Melbourne Airport until they have results from tests to find out whether airport chemicals, called PFAs, have polluted them.
Per-and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of manufactured chemicals which have historically been used at airports to put out liquid fuel fires.
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EPA deputy chief environmental scientist Leon Metzeling said people and pets should not swim in the waterways, and also keep pets away.
“EPA recommends...as a precaution, people avoid swimming in the water and keep pets away from these waterways while additional testing is conducted,” Mr Metzeling said.
PFAS last for a long time and have been known to move from soil to surface water or groundwater, before migrating to creeks, rivers and lakes.
“The EPA has conducted a risk assessment of data provided by Melbourne Airport about the levels of PFAS at the airport and in surrounding waterways,” he said.
“Results from these tests will be made available to the local community as soon as possible.”
Friends of Steele Creek spokeswoman Helen van den Berg said PFAS contamination was “disastrous for river life”.
“Melbourne Airport have a responsibility to contain and treat the pollution on their site,” she said.
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Mr Metzeling said the latest research showed there was no consistent evidence that PFAS was harmful to human health, nor did they cause any specific illnesses such as cancer.
Mr Metzeling also recommended anglers refrain from fishing in the Maribyrnong River upstream of the Calder Freeway to Deep Creek at Bulla and within all of Arundel Creek.
This advice does not apply to Jacksons Creek or Steele Creek.
Melbourne Airport’s head of corporate communications Grant Smith said it had been testing soil and water samples to determine the impact of PFAS pollution.
He accepted more work needed to be done to understand the possible ecological impact on plants and animals, including fish.
“We’ve been making progress on steps to address the presence of PFAS at the airport,” he said.
Melbourne Water spokesman Colin Neathercoat said water taken from the Maribyrnong River system should not be used for stock water or for irrigating produce, nor should humans drink it.
The public is urged to contact the EPA’s pollution hotline on 1300 372 842 with concerns.
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