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.

HMAS Albatross

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.

HMAS Albatross

• 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: HMAS.Albatross@aurecongroup.com

• 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/

HMAS Albatross

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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