Community Information Session PFAS Investigation & Management Program HMAS Albatross PFAS Management Area Plan 17 July 2019
PFAS Investigation and Management Program Acknowledgment of Country 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.
PFAS Investigation and Management Program Welcome Session outline: • What are PFAS • About the Program • The Investigation Process • The PFAS Management Area Plan • Next steps Speaker: - Luke McLeod, Assistant Secretary, PFAS Investigation and Management Program
PFAS Investigation and Management Program From From From 2015 - 1950s 1970s 2003 2004 2010 Present Used in legacy Widely used around firefighting foam to the world to make extinguish liquid fuel products that resist fires by both civilian heat, stains, grease and military and water. authorities. PFAS of concern: Most people in Perfluorooctane developed countries sulfonate (PFOS) are likely to have Perfluorooctanoic levels of PFAS in acid (PFOA) their blood. Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS)
PFAS Investigation and Management Program From From From 2015 - 1950s 1970s 2003 2004 2010 Present From From 2003 2004 1970s NICNAS recommends Defence introduced a the use of PFOS and PFAS was used in new foam and related PFAS-based legacy firefighting foam commenced phasing out chemicals be restricted to extinguish liquid fuel use of the old foams for to essential use only fires by both civilian and both training and and PFOS-based military authorities. emergencies. firefighting foam not be used for fire training purposes.
PFAS Investigation and Management Program From From From 2015 - 1950s 1970s 2003 2004 2010 Present • In 2010, Defence commenced the first PFAS environmental investigation in Oakey. • In 2015 the PFAS Investigation and Management Program commenced. • Defence has commenced 28 detailed environmental investigations, 16 of which have now been completed Investigation Site and transitioned to Management Site management sites.
PFAS Investigation and Management Program Health Advice • In July 2019, the enHealth guidance statements were updated to reflect the current evidence relating to PFAS. “ As a precaution, enHealth recommends exposure to PFAS be minimised wherever possible whilst further research is undertaken on the potential health effects of PFAS exposure. This precautionary advice takes into account the uncertainties in the current scientific evidence (i.e. the lack of causation data on human health effects) and the ability of these chemicals to persist in humans and in the environment. If you live or work in a PFAS contaminated area, your State or Territory Health Department can provide you with local advice on how to minimise ” exposure to PFAS. The Environmental Health Standing Committee (enHealth)
PFAS Investigation and Management Program What did the investigation involve? The detailed environmental investigation was undertaken in accordance with the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999 (NEPM). PFAS Management Area Detailed Site Investigation Investigations Complete Plan Complete commenced Sep 2016 Nov 2017 May 2016 Nov 2017 July 2019 Preliminary Site Human Health & Ecological Risk Ongoing Investigations complete Assessments Complete Monitoring Investigations complete
PFAS Investigation and Management Program Investigation Overview: Detailed Site Investigation findings • No imminent environmental or human health exposure risks/scenarios identified • Primary source areas are the current and former fire training areas and the sewage treatment plant • Key PFAS pathways are surface water to the north and south, and to a lesser extent, groundwater
PFAS Investigation and Management Program Investigation Overview: Hum an Health and Ecological Risk Assessm ent findings • Elevated PFAS exposure scenarios: • Consumption of home-grown fruits or vegetables on properties where PFAS is present in soils, or where water containing PFAS is used for irrigation; • Consumption of home-grown meat/offal, milk or eggs on properties where PFAS is present in soil or water; • Consumption of certain species of fish and crustaceans caught from the Shoalhaven River and Currambene Creek; • Using groundwater or surface water near the Base as a drinking water source (this is not known to occur in the Investigation Area); and • Ecological risks via the food chain, for mammals that eat insects from areas impacted by PFAS.
PFAS Investigation and Management Program PFAS Management Area Plan Aim: • To manage and reduce the risks of PFAS exposure and/or migration as a result of Defence’s activities Plan considerations: • Management options selected based on net-environmental benefit – Key source areas – Exposure Risks – Pathways – Available treatment technologies
PFAS Investigation and Management Program Management Strategies: 3. RECEPTORS 2 . PATHWAYS
PFAS Investigation and Management Program PMAP recommended actions Conduct ongoing monitoring of PFAS in surface water and groundwater. Manage PFAS in soil at the on-base former firefighting training area. Manage contaminated surface water leaving the Base through the drainage network. Investigate how PFAS is entering the Base sewer network, then implement a management solution to reduce PFAS movement off-base. Continue to assist NSW State government agencies in the implementation of precautionary dietary advice.
PFAS Investigation and Management Program Potential Soil Treatment Options • Capping – applying a physical barrier such as clay that is impermeable to seal contaminated soils and prevent movement of PFAS away from the source area • Immobilisation – adding a binding agent to contaminated soils, which stabilises PFAS in soils and prevents movement of PFAS away from the source area • Excavation – digging up the source area to remove contaminated soils from the site, and filling the excavated areas with landfill
PFAS Investigation and Management Program Potential Water Treatment Options • Pump and Treat – pumping contaminated water into a purpose-built facility designed to remove PFAS from water. Treated water is then pumped back into the environment • Passive Treatment – installing a permeable reactive barrier in a weir, which will filter out PFAS as water passes through the barrier. This option requires further feasibility assessment
PFAS Investigation and Management Program
PFAS Investigation and Management Program Ongoing Monitoring Plan Assess potential changes to the nature and extent of PFAS impacts and/or exposure risks on and off-Base. What Where When Monitoring of 13 locations Quarterly for the first surface water 12 months and then (4 on base and 9 off biannually base) Monitoring of 31 locations Biannual for first 12 months and then groundwater (21 locations on base annually and 10 off base * ) * To be confirmed. Some locations may occur on private property. These have not been identified on the map for privacy reasons.
PFAS Investigation and Management Program PMAP Monitoring Area
PFAS Investigation and Management Program Next Steps Implement management & remediation recommendations Ongoing Monitoring
Thank you Contact us Phone: 1800 365 414 Email: PFASDefenceCoordination@golder.com.au Website: www.defence.gov.au/Environment/PFAS/Albatross/
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