[Peetwo]

Update 02/09/2016: From Senate Hansard yesterday the 1st time this issue was mentioned in the 45th Parliament was in question time by none other than newly elected NSW Senator Brian Burston, from Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party -

Defence Facilities: Chemical Contamination

Senator BURSTON (New South Wales) (14:20): My question is to the Minister for Defence, Senator Payne. As you are aware, toxic chemicals used in firefighting foam have leaked from the Williamtown RAAF Base at Salt Ash, near Newcastle. The toxic chemicals have been found in water and fish and they have leached into the soil. Residents have been told not to drink bore water or eat any fish or eggs produced in the contaminated area, called the 'red zone'. As well as Salt Ash, the Department of Defence is investigating 18 sites throughout Australia for contamination, including the Oakey Army Aviation Centre, in Queensland. During the election campaign the Prime Minister promised $55 million for blood testing in epidemiology studies in areas across the country adversely affected by firefighting foam contamination. Given the acute threat to residents—that is, the chemicals found at Salt Ash and Oakey have been linked with kidney cancer, testicular cancer, ulcerated colitis, thyroid disease, hypertension and medically diagnosed high cholesterol—when will the blood testing epidemiology studies begin?

Senator PAYNE (New South Wales—Minister for Defence) (14:21): I thank Senator Burston very much for his first question in this place. If I am not mistaken, I know that this is a matter of significant interest to him as a local resident, as it is to many people in the broad Williamtown and Salt Ash community. Senator Burston is correct when he says that the government has made a commitment in relation both to voluntary blood testing and the commencement of an epidemiological study. The arrangements for those are underway with the Primary Health Networks, in particular, because there needs to be a proper health based framework through which they can take place, with the support of general practitioners. If individuals have already procured blood tests for their own purposes, then they will be reimbursed. If they wish to do that now, then they will also be reimbursed. The development of the epidemiological study is being done—largely directed by the Department of Health, as is entirely appropriate—and the reference points, the outlines, for that are almost complete. The minister for health is awaiting receipt of those.

If individuals who participate in the blood-testing process, or who seek blood tests, wish to voluntarily be part of such an epidemiological study, then that would of course be a matter for them. Nobody will be forced or compelled to do that. But in terms of the health information and data that is available on the tracking of PFOS and PFOA, or contaminant levels, this will be, if it is participated in by a good number of people in these key areas, one of the leading health studies available in the world. It will assist us in formulating policy in the context of a department such as defence, which finds itself in this position, a department such as health or a department such as environment. We are taking a whole-of-government approach— (Time expired)

The PRESIDENT: Senator Burston—a supplementary question.


Senator BURSTON (New South Wales) (14:23): Does the minister agree that because this toxic chemical contamination cannot be neutralised the government should commence a buyback program of affected properties in the red zone so that residents can relocate to a safe environment? If so, when will the buyback begin?

Senator PAYNE (New South Wales—Minister for Defence) (14:23): This is a pressing issue for the residents not just in Williamtown, but I would also acknowledge residents in Oakey in Queensland, because there have been some decisions taken by valuers, by financial institutions in relation to land values, in the context of perhaps the current heightened debate. The government has been involved in the process of a very complex series of environmental, ecological and human health assessments. Once the interim health reference values are established by that testing process, once the detailed environmental investigations are concluded and they are underway in both of those areas, then we will be in a much better position to look at the legal implications in relation to land values. This is a very complex issue for those who live in these local areas. I have met with a number of them, and I understand their very, very serious concerns. (Time expired)

It is encouraging to see the good Senator has not been overawed by the occasion and is ready to get stuck into tackling the real issues affecting his constituents. It should be noted that Senator Burston is yet to even give his first speech...

Further update: On the other Aunty today...

Residents near Oakey Aviation Base 'likely' ingested toxic chemicals, report finds
By Isobel Roe

Updated about an hour agoMon 5 Sep 2016, 8:11pm

Photo: Oakey resident Scott Vlietstra has a blood test for PFOS levels. (ABC News: Isobel Roe)

The Department of Defence says residents who live near the Oakey Aviation Base in south-west Queensland are likely to have ingested a range of toxic chemicals associated with firefighting foam.

Key points:

• People who drank or used bore water before 2010 likely to have ingested toxic chemicals, report finds
  
• Oakey community advised not to drink or bathe in bore water or groundwater
  
• Defence officials briefed the community at a fiery meeting
  

The department today released its human health assessment regarding the detection of poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination around the base.

The contamination also included perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

Firefighting foam used at the base in training and emergency responses since the 1970s caused contaminated groundwater and soil.

The report confirmed that people who drank or used bore water before 2010, when the chemicals were first discovered at the base, were likely to have ingested them.

The report found there was a low and acceptable risk to health associated with typical exposure to the PFAS detected in the environment for the general community.

It also found that consuming meat, fish, locally grown vegetables and incidental ingestion of water while swimming, boating or fishing were considered to be low risk.



Photo: Light blue 'plume' shows extent of groundwater contamination over Oakey. (Supplied: Department of Defence)

"The available blood serum data from the Oakey cohort indicate that these elevated PFAS exposures [which could be associated with potential health risks] are unlikely to have occurred, however this cannot be stated with certainty," the report stated.

But the report found the community's exposure to the chemicals must be minimised.

The community has been advised not to drink or bathe in bore water or groundwater.

The report also recommends the community avoid the consumption of locally produced eggs in the contamination zone, but the report did not detail the actual human health risks.

A toxicology report said the chemicals had caused some cancer in animals but there was no proof it could cause cancer in humans.

Defence officials briefed the community at a fiery meeting that was held about 5:30pm.
However, many community members remain concerned about the report, with some yelling during the meeting and others walking out.

Call for department to 'come clean'

Oakey GP Dr John Hall said the issue had led to a great deal of stress in the community.

"The biggest issue we've seen coming through our door is mental health, depression and anxiety related to this issue," he said.

He said one of the things that had led to the anxiety was a lack of real information from the Defence Department.

"From my understanding the report does not confirm or clearly talk about the health effects of these chemicals," he said.

"We're calling on them [Defence Department] to come out and come clean with that and talk openly about the health effects."

Dr Hall's clinic conducts blood tests on Oakey residents to detect exposure, but he said it was difficult to interpret the results as there was no guidelines on what a safe level was.

"The advice we're getting from Defence and the advice we're getting from the Department of Health is they don't know, so they don't know what a safe level is," he said.

Industry questions Commonwealth's approach

Beef producer Dianne Priddle said she could not understand how the report had found no real risk from meat from her property.

She said the Commonwealth was hiding something because there was no consistency with the approach taken in New South Wales.

"If New South Wales have shut down the fishing industry and the chook industry, eggs, and we've got question marks over the beef industry — what is the difference with that industry and our industry?" she said.

Meanwhile, the State Government said it was identifying areas in Queensland where contaminated firefighting foam was being stored.

Environment Minister Steven Miles said new stocks of firefighting foam that might contain contaminating substances had been banned.

"We are now actively reviewing the locations and scale of firefighting foams throughout Queensland that may contain PFAS and engaging with commerce and industry to ensure they know and understand their obligations," he said.

From other news sites:

• News.com.au: Qld maps out contaminated fire foam sites
  
• The Chronicle: Residents warned don't drink toxic water, eat eggs
  

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