Chester tries to duck PFAS soil contamination issue - 
Answer to QIW No. 731, via HoR Hansard 08 Aug '15:
Answer to QIW No. 731, via HoR Hansard 08 Aug '15:
Quote:Poly-fluoroalkyl SubstancesMTF...P2
(Question No. 731)
Mrs Elliot asked the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, in writing, on 22 May 2017:
In respect of the confirmation of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate and Perfluorooctanoic Acid contamination at the Gold Coast Airport, will he (a) commit to fully restoring all contaminated soils and ground waters around the Gold Coast Airport, (b) ensure that the process in part (a) is open and accountable, and © take all possible steps to prevent such contamination of local wetlands and waterways.
Mr Chester: The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows:
A preliminary site investigation for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) was conducted at Gold Coast Airport by an independent environmental consultant, GHD Pty Ltd, in July 2016. The study was commissioned by Airservices Australia (Airservices) who publicly released the final report in November 2016. The results showed low levels of PFAS, below guidelines for the protection of human health, at the airport boundary. No PFAS was detected in surface water samples in the Cobaki Broadwater.
Airservices subsequently commissioned a further independent seafood sampling program to better understand potential PFAS exposure pathways on human consumption of fish caught in the Cobaki Broadwater. The biota sampling was conducted in accordance with sampling protocols established by the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Airservices released the results of the seafood sampling in March 2017 which showed PFAS concentrations below the limit of detection in surface water, sediment and biota samples for the Cobaki Broadwater.
The report concluded the risk to humans from consumption of fish, crustaceans and molluscs collected from Cobaki Broadwater is negligible.
These results confirm there is no risk of PFAS migrating off Gold Coast Airport.
Commensurate with the risk, it would be unreasonable to require all potentially contaminated soils and ground waters around Gold Coast Airport to be fully restored.
Gold Coast Airport Pty Ltd and Airservices conduct regular groundwater and surface water monitoring of PFAS to monitor any potential movements of PFAS across the Airport.
Airservices has also commissioned a further sampling program on the north-eastern side of the Airport in Queensland to test local spear bores off-airport and to test for PFAS along the Coolangatta Creek. Sampling will commence shortly once the scope of the investigation has been approved by the relevant Queensland authorities.
It is worth noting a report by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization in 2009 points out only 3% of globally manufactured perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a major PFAS chemical, by the US company 3M Lightwater was used in making firefighting foam. Almost half (48%) of total PFOS production was used in surface treatment applications (e.g. soil, oil and water resistance on apparel and leather, fabric/upholstery and carpets); 33% in paper protection (food and non food applications); and 15% in performance chemicals (e.g. mist suppressants for metal plating, floor polishes, photographic film, denture cleaners, shampoos, carpet spot cleaners). This report emphasises the fact that firefighting foam constitutes only a small fraction of the total source of PFAS in the environment, i.e. other diffuse sources of PFAS contribute more than 90% of PFAS in the environment. Off-airport sources of PFAS may include sewage treatment plants, landfills, domestic fire extinguishers, mining operations, fuel refineries and storage facilities, urban and country fire-fighting facilities and fire suppression systems in high cost infrastructure, such as tunnels and rail maintenance facilities.
While low levels of PFAS are widespread in the environment, there is currently no consistent evidence that these chemicals are harmful to human health. However, as a precaution, the Australian Government recommends exposure be reduced wherever possible, while research into potential PFAS health effects continues.