TESTING will begin at HMAS Albatross in March to determine if there is any contamination at the naval base due to the historical use of fire fighting foams.
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Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis said testing would begin at Albatross next month and at HMAS Creswell later in 2016.
“The government will be carrying out testing around the region’s defence bases where firefighting foam may have been used in the past,” she said.
The issue of possible contamination of the Nowra Hill naval base came to light after groundwater contamination was found at RAAF Base Williamtown at Newcastle in 2012.
The Department of Defence is undertaking a long-term environmental investigation and assessment of the groundwater beneath the RAAF base, to understand how the groundwater may have been impacted by the historical use of fire fighting foams between 1970 and the late 2000s.
Testing will be carried out for aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) contained perfluorooctane sulphonate, known as PFOS, and perfluorooctanoic acid, known as PFOA.
“These two compounds [ PFOS and PFOA] were previously found in firefighting foams along with non-stick surfaces in cookware, non-stain carpets, stain resistant clothes and upholstery,” Mrs Sudmalis said.
“There are no globally accepted studies showing that exposure to PFOS and PFOA affects human health.
“PFOS and PFOA were used extensively worldwide and within Australia by both civilian and military authorities up until the mid-2000s due to their effectiveness in extinguishing liquid fuel fires.
“Defence authorities and the government will continue to update the community,”
Defence became aware this was an emerging contaminant problem in 2003 and released a specification for the supply and testing of foam concentrates.
Defence stopped using fire fighting foams that contained PFOS and PFOA for training and restricted their use critical incidents only in 2004.
Between 2006 and 2011 Defence moved to a product called Ansulite, which was more environmentally friendly and now uses Ansul training foam for liquid fuel fire training exercises and Ansulite for fire fighting critical incidents.