PFAS site investigation results on way: Air Services Australia

Air Services Australia has been conducting investigations into 23 sites across the country exposed to potentially toxic chemicals called perfluorinated compounds, also known as PFAS.

Launceston and Hobart airports were identified as sites which had the potential for PFAS contamination.

The sites were tested in 2016 but the results and a management plan for the area have not been released.

An Air Services Australia spokesperson said they anticipated publishing the site investigations for Hobart this month and Launceston would follow shortly after that.

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The chemicals were used in firefighting foam until 2010. The potential health impacts of exposure to the compounds has been uncovered in an international Fairfax Media investigation.

The investigation uncovered a cancer cluster at a school in the US, close to where contaminated PFAS sites were discovered.

The response is being jointly managed by Air Services Australia and the Environment Protection Agency.

The EPA reported “low levels” of PFAS contamination at the Launceston site in 2016, when preliminary testing was conducted. However, it is unknown what the level of chemical contamination is.

Investigation into affected or potentially affected sites is ongoing. 

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