PFAS Investigation & Management Community Information Session HMAS Albatross, NSW April 2017 Rear Admiral Clint Thomas
PFAS Investigation & Management Community Information Session
HMAS Albatross, NSW
April 2017
Rear Admiral Clint Thomas
Acknowledgment of Country
We would like to respectfully acknowledge the Yuin People of the
Shoalhaven region, the traditional custodians of the land on which
this meeting takes place, and also pay respect to Elders both past
and present.
We would also like to pay our respects to the Indigenous men and
women who have contributed to the defence of Australia in times
of peace and war.
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Session outline:
• Background
• PFAS and AFFF history
• HMAS Albatross – PFAS Investigation outline
• Next steps
Welcome
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• Per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made compounds
• Include PFOS (perfluorinated sulfonate), PFHxS (perfluorohexane sulfanate) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid)
• PFAS have been widely used around the world since the 1950s to make products that resist heat, stains, grease and water
• Most people in developed countries are likely to have levels of PFOS, PFHxS and PFOA in their blood
• Emerging contaminants
What are PFAS
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Mining &
Oil Well
surfactants
PFAS
Fire
Fighting
Foams
Stain
resistance
/ fabric /
carpet
protection
Mist
suppressant
in metal
plating
industry
Insecticide
formulation
Aviation
hydraulic
fluids
Floor
polishes
Paper &
Packaging
Shampoos
& Cleaning
Products
Photographic
industry
PFAS and AFFF
Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) is a fire fighting foam used to
extinguish liquid fuel fires.
AFFF has been used extensively worldwide, including Australia,
since the 1970’s by both civilian and military authorities. Legacy
formulations contained some PFAS of concern as active ingredients,
including:
• PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate)
• PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid)
• PFHxS (perfluorohexane sulfanate)
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From 1970s Defence commenced use of AFFF containing PFOS/PFOA.
In 2003 Defence and other users became aware that PFOS/PFOA was
an emerging persistent organic pollutant.
From 2004 Defence introduced a new foam and commenced phasing out
use of the old foams for both training, and emergencies.
Currently For emergencies, Defence uses a foam that does not contain
PFOS and PFOA as active ingredients.
Defence uses a training foam which does not contain PFOS and
PFOA.
Foam is captured and disposed of in accordance with current
regulations.
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History of AFFF use in Defence
About the Base
• HMAS Albatross has been a permanent operational flying and
training base since 1942
• The Air Station is also home to the Australian Navy Fleet Air
Arm
• The base has a history of using
AFFF in emergencies and fire fighter
training
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Defence National PFAS Investigation and Management Program was established in late 2015.
Defence is currently conducting detailed environmental investigations at:
Defence is commencing detailed environmental investigations at a number of additional sites during the first half of 2017.
Defence is working closely with Commonwealth agencies and State and local Governments,and other relevant agencies.
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• Army Aviation Centre Oakey, QLD
• HMAS Albatross, NSW
• RAAF Base East Sale, VIC
• RAAF Base Townsville, QLD
• RAAF Base Darwin, NT
• RAAF Base Tindal, NT
• RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA
• RAAF Base Pearce, WA
• RAAF Base Williamtown, NSW
• RAAF Base Amberley, QLD
• Jervis Bay Range Facility, JBT
About the Defence Program
• RAAF Base Richmond, NSW
• Holsworthy Barracks, NSW
• RAAF Base Wagga, NSW
• Albury Wodonga Military Area, VIC
• Robertson Barracks, NT
• HMAS Stirling, WA
• HMAS Cerberus, VIC
Health
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• The Environmental Health Standing Committee (enHealth) has issued Guidance
Statements on PFAS. Defence relies on the enHealth Guidance Statements.
• The enHealth Guidance Statement on PFAS reiterates that:
“there is currently no consistent evidence that exposure to PFOS and PFOA
causes adverse human health effects. Because these chemicals persist in humans
and the environment, enHealth recommends that human exposure to these
chemicals is minimised as a precaution.”
• The Commonwealth Department of Health released final Health Based Guidance Values
(HBGVs) for PFAS on 3 April 2017. These HBGVs were developed by FSANZ at the
request of the Commonwealth Department of Health and replace the interim enHealth
guidelines released in June 2016.
• The HBGVs for PFAS are a precautionary measure to assist people, investigating
agencies and affected communities in minimising their exposure to PFAS.
• Defence will adopt the final HBGVs in all its environmental investigations including at
HMAS Albatross.
Defence has adopted a precautionary approach and is providing
alternative sources of drinking water to eligible residents.
A water use survey has been completed by local residents and shows that
water for human consumption and domestic use comes from
– Town water supply
– Tank (rain) water
Residents wishing to request an alternative drinking water supply can
contact the national hotline by phone or email. Provision of water will
be assessed on a case-by-case basis and reviewed as required.
Drinking Water
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This environmental investigation is undertaken consistent with the National
Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999
(NEPM)
• Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) – completed June 2016
• Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) – underway
• Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment (HHERA) – underway
Defence has engaged Aurecon as the lead environmental consultant to undertake
the investigation at HMAS Albatross.
A separate consultant, JBS&G has been engaged to conduct a peer-review/
auditing function on the environmental investigation.
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About this Investigation
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Sampling Activities To Date
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Sampling Type Number of samples and locations
Soil (boreholes) 99 samples from 32 new boreholes
Soil (hand augers) 141 soil samples from 78 locations
Sediment
(at the bottom of water
bodies)
40 samples from 35 locations
Surface water four rounds (two in dry and two in wet)
92 surface water samples from 43 locations
Groundwater
two rounds - 64 water samples
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Interim Findings
• Fire fighting training area
• Sewerage Treatment Plant
• Sewerage Treatment Plant irrigation areas
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Next Steps
• Work has commenced on additional groundwater wells to
confirm the potential extent of contamination and assess
potential risks to human health and the environment.
• To inform the HHERA, selected flora and fauna is currently
being sampled and tested.
• DSI and HHERA expected to be complete in late 2017.
Results will inform future PFAS management activities.
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Stakeholder and Community Engagement
Regular stakeholder interactions to provide timely and accurate
advice to guide decision-making:
• Public enquiry lines operate throughout project,
• Fact sheets, relevant information and results of sampling will
be published on the project website,
• Individual correspondence on private property results,
• Community information sessions at key milestones, and
• Will be done with appropriate privacy consideration.
Water use survey is still open, with the aim to understand surface
water, groundwater and rainwater tank use in the area.
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• The Australian Government Department of Health has established a PFAS
webpage: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-
pfas.htm
• Department of Health PFAS hotline: 1800 941 180
• Details of available Australian Government-funded mental health initiatives can
be found on the Department of Health website:
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/Mental+Health+a
nd+Wellbeing-1
• NSW Health: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
• NSW Environment Protection Authority:
http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/MediaInformation/ pfasinvestigation.htm
• Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s (FSANZ):
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/ohp-pfas-
hbgv.htm
Useful Links
Need more information?
Defence will keep you informed
• Hotline Number: 1800 856 491
• Email: [email protected]
• Local Site Website: www.defence.gov.au/id/albatross
• Post: HMAS Albatross, Aurecon
PO Box 538, Neutral Bay 2089
General information about the national Defence PFAS program,
fact sheets relevant to the base can be found at:
www.defence.gov.au/ID/PFOSPFOA/
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DSI is currently underway – additional groundwater investigation has been initiated to assess potential risks to human health and the environment
HHERA is currently underway – biota sampling has commenced
enHealth advises that there is currently no consistent evidence that exposure to PFOS and PFOA causes adverse human health effects
Defence will keep you informed and will continue to consult with all relevant Federal, State and local government agencies
In Summary
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Questions?
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Thank you for your attendance
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