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Parliamentary Questions


Question On Notice No. 465 asked in the Legislative Council on 31 October 2017 by Hon Dr Steve Thomas

Question Directed to the: Minister for Environment
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
Tabled Paper No: 1002- View tabled paper


Question

I refer to the potential contamination of soil and water by chemicals known as per and poly fluoro alkyl substances (PFAS) found in fire retardant foam, and I ask:

(a) have these substances been discovered in soil or water in Western Australia;
(b) if yes to (a), where have they been found and in what concentrations;
(c) if yes to (b), how have the contaminated materials been managed;
(d) are there any stockpiles or is there any storage of soils or water contaminated by PFAS; and
(e) if yes to (d), are any of these managed or controlled by the Western Australian State Government?
Answered on 7 December 2017

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been commonly used in a range of materials and products, including household items, the historical use of firefighting foam on Commonwealth and State land has left a legacy that needs to be carefully understood.

Scientific knowledge about the toxicity of PFAS is still evolving and Australian health authorities have advised that there is currently no consistent evidence that exposure to PFAS causes adverse human health effects. This Government remains vigilant, however. As such, I provide the following information.

(a – c) Yes. PFAS have been found in soil, surface water and/or groundwater at various locations in Western Australia.

These locations are grouped into three categories:

1) sites within State jurisdiction being regulated under the Contaminated Sites Act 2003 (CS Act);

2) locations where low concentrations of PFAS have been identified through ambient monitoring programs; and

3) Commonwealth land, such as defence bases and certain airports.

Sites within State jurisdiction regulated under the CS Act

The table at Attachment 1 outlines all sites being regulated under the CS Act where perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and/or perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS) have been detected. At sites where PFAS have been found, the concentrations typically vary between individual sample points and/or over time.

Attachment 1 sets out the minimum and maximum detected concentrations for the three most commonly tested PFAS (PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS in soil, surface water and/or groundwater (as relevant) at each site. A brief summary of the management actions required in accordance with the CS Act is also provided.

At many of these sites, other types of contaminants are also present; the classification and management actions consider all types of contaminants at the site.

PFAS identified through ambient monitoring programs

As part of ambient monitoring programs, PFAS have been detected in the Swan Canning Estuary, groundwater near Perry Lakes and in two waterways within the footprint of the 2016 Yarloop fires.

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions undertook a screening assessment of PFAS in surface waters at 20 routine monitoring sites throughout the Swan Canning Estuary and at 26 sites within its sub-catchments in December 2016 and again in June 2017. PFAS were detected at all locations, and all bar two of the sites sampled were within the health-based guidance value for recreational and non-potable water use (i.e. PFOS and PFHxS combined were less than 0.7 micrograms per litre). The two sites outside the health-based guidance value were the Perth Airport North and South Main Drains. The catchment for these drains includes Commonwealth land under Perth Airport. Both main drains are currently regulated under the Contaminated Sites Act (see Attachment 1).

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation carried out investigations at Perry Lakes and Lake Claremont in 2017 in order to assess potential background PFAS concentrations in an urban setting. Low-level PFAS impacts were detected in groundwater at locations immediately downgradient of Perry Lakes. Results for PFOS and PFHxS combined at these locations ranged from 0.01 to 0.03 micrograms per litre in groundwater. As above, these values are well within the health-based guidance value for recreational and non-potable water use.

The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation also included screening assessment of PFAS levels at four locations in waterways within the footprint of the 2016 Yarloop fires, as part of a larger study investigating the environmental impact of bushfire and fire-control. PFOS was found in surface water at concentrations ranging between 0.027 and 0.057 micrograms per litre in two brooks in forested areas; PFHxS was not detected. Again, these levels are well below the health-based guidance value for recreational and non-potable water use. PFAS were not found in surface water at the reference site (outside of the fire affected area), or in sites with surrounding mining, agriculture and peri-urban land use.

Commonwealth land

While the legal situation is complex, some State laws do not apply to Commonwealth land or entities. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is aware that investigations are being carried out by relevant agencies/entities at Perth Airport, and at the following sites in Western Australia by the Department of Defence:

· RAAF Base Pearce in Bullsbrook;

· Gingin Satellite Airfield;

· RAAF Base Learmonth near Exmouth;

· Harold E Holt Naval Communication Station A and B near Exmouth; and

· HMAS Stirling on Garden Island.

As the investigations are still in progress, reports containing the concentrations found through testing have not yet been finalised or submitted to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation by the relevant Commonwealth agency/entity.

(d – e) Yes. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is aware that excavated soils originating from construction works for the Forrestfield-Airport Link project are being stockpiled at 777 Abernethy Road in Forrestfield. Some of these soils contain low levels of PFAS. The site is Crown land managed by the Public Transport Authority. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation is not aware of any other stockpiles or storage of soils or water containing PFAS.