NSW Government investigates legacy of PFC

NSW EPA is undertaking an investigation program to assess the historical legacy of perfluorinated compound (PFC) use across NSW. PFCs are a group of chemicals that have many specialty applications. They include perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which were widely used in a range of products in Australia and internationally. The EPA’s investigation program follows a precautionary approach to managing the historical legacy of PFC use in the NSW environment. It will focus on sites where, in the past, the chemicals may have been used in large quantities, including airports, firefighting training facilities and some industrial sites, and where it is determined there are exposure pathways that may increase people’s contact with the chemicals, such as bore water usage, surface water usage or fishing sites. The EPA will work with occupiers and owners of these sites to collect samples of soils and/or waters for indicative analysis for PFCs, and to look for exposure pathways. The EPA has received preliminary results from some Fire & Rescue NSW training sites and is conducting further investigations in conjunction with NSW fire agencies. NSW EPA Manager of Hazardous Incidents, Andrew Mitchell, said the initial investigation program is expected to take around six months to complete. “The EPA is working closely with land owners to progress the investigation. The results of the investigation will be made public when they are available.” The investigation comes after the discovery of PFC contamination at the RAAF air base in Williamtown.