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Community Information SessionPFAS Investigation & Management ProgramFindings of the Detailed Site Investigation
Holsworthy Barracks 8 November 2018
We would like to respectfully acknowledge 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:• About PFAS• Defence PFAS Investigation and Management Program• Investigation stages• Current investigation status• Detailed Site Investigation findings• Next Steps• QuestionsSpeakers:
- Rachel Rees-Scott (Director Investigations, PFAS Investigation and Management Branch)
- Luke Clements (Lead Environmental Consultant)
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, 10 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.
“
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
Detailed Environmental Investigation
Defence has engaged a lead environmental consultant CH2M to undertake the investigation at Holsworthy Barracks.
A separate consultant has been engaged to audit the investigation.
The detailed environmental investigation is being undertaken in accordance with the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999 (NEPM).
There are 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
Conceptual Site Model
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
Detailed Site Investigation findingsIdentified PFAS source areas include:
1. Liverpool Fire Station on ANZAC Road in Wattle Grove
2. Former 85 Transport Area
3. Former Luscombe Sewage Disposal Area
4. Luscombe Airfield runway
5. Former Holsworthy sewage treatment plant
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
Detailed Site Investigation FindingsPotential pathways for PFAS movement through the environment• Surface water: PFAS movement along waterways and drainage lines
is considered to be the main pathway. • Groundwater: PFAS in soil and sediment leach to surface water and
groundwater and surface water also seeps into groundwater.
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
Sample typeSamplesAnalysedOn-Site
SamplesAnalysedOff-Site
Total samples analysed 325 243Soil 152 75Surface Water 32 53Sediment 97 103
Groundwater 44 12
Detailed Site Investigation Findings
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
Potential PFAS exposure to people• The main PFAS exposure pathways involve ingestion (swallowing).
The Investigation has determined that drinking or ingesting produce watered by PFAS impacted water is not an exposure pathway within the Holsworthy Investigation Area.
• The Detailed Site Investigation has not identified PFAS-related exposure issues that require immediate management by Defence.
• The following potential PFAS exposure scenarios have been identified:• Direct contact with soil, sediment, surface water or groundwater• Eating garden produce or poultry that have been grown in PFAS-
impacted soil• Consumption of fish and/or other edible species in which PFAS have
bioaccumulated
Next Steps
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment (HHERA)A HHERA will commence in November 2018 to assess the potential PFAS exposures for people, animals and the environment identified in the DSI.
PFAS Management Area PlanThe environmental investigation findings will be used to develop a PFAS Management Area Plan that will aim to manage any elevated risks of PFAS contamination and outline plans for ongoing monitoring of PFAS.
Thank youContact us
Phone: 1800 431 329 free call (business hours)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.defence.gov.au/Environment/PFAS/holsworthy
Mail: Holsworthy Environmental Investigation Project Team, CH2M, Level 7, 177 Pacific Highway, North Sydney, NSW 2060
