Community Information Session · Community Information Session PFAS Investigation & Management...
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Community Information Session PFAS Investigation & Management Program Human Health Risk Assessment and PFAS Management Area Plan Findings 16 November 2018 Gingin Satellite Airfield
Transcript of Community Information Session · Community Information Session PFAS Investigation & Management...
Community Information SessionPFAS Investigation & Management Program
Human Health Risk Assessment and PFAS Management Area Plan Findings
16 November 2018Gingin Satellite Airfield
We would like to respectfully acknowledge the Yued Noongar, 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.
Acknowledgment of Country
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
Session outline:• What are PFAS• About the Program• The Investigation Process• Human Health Risk Assessment• PFAS Management Area Plan
Speakers:• Rachel Rees-Scott – Director Investigations,
Department of Defence • William Rodgers - Jacobs
Welcome
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
Widely used around the world to make
products that resist heat, stains, grease
and water.
Used in legacy firefighting foam to
extinguish liquid fuel fires by both civilian
and military authorities.
PFAS of concern: Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) Perfluorooctanoicacid (PFOA) Perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS)
Most people in developed countries
are likely to have levels of PFAS in
their blood.
From 1950s
From1970s 2003
From2004 2010
2015 -Present
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
PFAS was used in legacy firefighting foam to extinguish liquid fuel
fires by both civilian and military authorities.
From 1970s
Defence introduced a new foam and
commenced phasing out use of the old foams for
both training and emergencies.
From2004
Defence and other users became aware that PFOS/PFOA was an emerging persistent
organic pollutant.
2003
From 1950s
From1970s 2003
From2004 2010
2015 -Present
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
From 1950s
From1970s 2003
From2004 2010
2015 -Present
• In 2010, Defence commenced the first PFAS environmental investigation in Oakey.
Investigation SiteManagement Site
• In 2015 the PFAS Investigation and Management Program commenced.
• Defence has commenced 27 detailed environmental investigations, 12 of which have now been completed and transitioned to management sites.
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
• Defence relies on the advice of Australian health authorities.
• In May 2018, enHealth’s advice was reaffirmed by an independent Expert Health Panel which was established by the Department of Health.
• The WA Department of Health (WA DoH) advises that health impacts are not expected from exposure to PFAS levels generally being detected in Western Australia.
“
There is currently no consistent evidence that exposure to PFOS andPFOA causes adverse human health effects. Because thesechemicals persist in humans and the environment, enHealthrecommends that human exposure to these chemicals is minimisedas a precaution.
The Environmental Health Standing Committee (enHealth)
“
”
Health Advice
PFAS Management
Area Plan
What has the investigation involved?Defence engaged lead environmental consultant Jacobs to undertake the investigation at Gingin Satellite Airfield.
A separate consultant JBS&G was engaged to conduct a peer-review/ auditing function on the environmental investigation.
The detailed environmental investigation has been undertaken in accordance with the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999 (NEPM).
There were three main stages to the investigations:
We are here
Preliminary Site Investigation 1 Detailed Site
Investigation 2 Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment 3
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
Detailed Site Investigation Findings
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
Human Health Risk Assessment
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
Human Health Risk Assessment
What it can tell us X What it can’t tell us
• Activities to avoid to minimise PFAS exposure (as per Western Australia advice).
• Cumulative exposure from multiple activities.
• Inform future management actions.
• Potential future health effects for individuals.
• Whether existing health effects for individuals are associated with past exposure.
• Medical advice.
Human Health Risk Assessment What was assessed?
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
• The potential risk of exposure to PFAS for individuals that currently work at the Base (or visitors)
• The risk of PFAS migrating from the Base to the two off-site abstraction bores, and therefore the public water supply
Human Health Risk Assessment Findings
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
On-site assessment• The potential exposure risks associated with contact with bore or
groundwater (for example, through showering) were found to be low.
• Drinking water at the base is not suitable for drinking purposes. Bottled drinking water will continue to be provided
Off-site assessment• No PFAS was found at the two off-site abstraction bores or the nearby
monitoring well
• Risk of PFAS migrating from the Base to the two off-site abstraction bores was found to be very low
Recommendations to manage potential exposure risks:
• Upgrade the existing Base water treatment system
• Continue restrictions on drinking water at the Base
• Implement an Ongoing Monitoring Plan
PFAS Management Area Plan
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
The Ongoing Monitoring Plan will involve the sampling of groundwater, surface water and sediment at monitoring areas which are located at Gingin Satellite Airfield and the immediate surrounding region.
Ongoing Monitoring Plan
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
What Where When
Groundwater
Groundwater
Tap sampling
On-Base
Off-Base
On-Base
Bi-annually
Quarterly
Quarterly
Monitoring Area
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
Next Steps
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
Implement the PFAS Management
Area Plan
Ongoing Monitoring
The PFAS Management Area Plan will be published by the end of the year at:
www.defence.gov.au/environment/pfas/gingin/
Stakeholder and Community Engagement
Website Information Line
Factsheets & Newsletters
Advertisements & Flyers
Individual Correspondence
Community Information Sessions
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
Thank youContact us
Phone: 1800 290 601 free call (business hours)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.defence.gov.au/Environment/PFAS/Gingin/
