community update information session · community update information session – ... december 2016...

Community Update Information Session – RAAF Base Williamtown

Preliminary Ecological Risk Assessment and Management Actions for 2017

December 2016

Session outline:

• Background

• Preliminary Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA)

• Update on the voluntary blood testing program

and epidemiological study

• Investigation activities for 2017

• Management actions for 2017

Welcome

RAAF Base Williamtown Stage 2B Environmental Investigation


• Per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS).

• Group of man-made compounds.

• Include PFOS (perfluorinated sulfonate) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid).

• PFAS have been widely used around the world in coatings (including food packaging) and products that resist: heat, oil, stains, grease and water.

• Most people in developed countries

are likely to have levels of PFOS

and PFOA in their blood.

• Emerging contaminants.

PFAS

What are PFAS?

• Defence cannot provide health advice. This is the role of Australian Government, State/Territory and local health authorities and practitioners.

• The Environmental Health Standing Committee (enHealth) has issued Guidance Statements on PFAS. Defence relies on the enHealth Guidance Statements.

• enHealth advises that there is currently no consistent evidence that exposure to PFOS and PFOA causes adverse human health effects. But due to their persistence, and the fact that we are trying to understand better the implications of these chemicals, it is recommended that exposure to them is minimised.

• The enHealth interim guideline values for tolerable daily intake, drinking water and recreational water are available online at the Department of Health website.

• These values will be in place until Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) develops advice on final health values for Australia.

• FSANZ will provide advice on safe levels of PFAS that people can be exposed to through food over a lifetime without risk to their health.

Health



Stage 2B: November 2015- now

This stage involved:

Environmental Site Assessment (released Aug 2016)

Human Health Risk Assessment (released Aug 2016)

Ecological Risk Assessment

Current Investigations

Released today

Preliminary Ecological Risk Assessment

August 2015 Session #5


Assessment Areas


• To evaluate the potential for adverse impacts to the native

land-based (terrestrial) and water-based (aquatic) plants

and animals (ecosystem) within the Investigation Area as a

result of exposure to PFAS in the environment

• The findings of the Preliminary ERA will be used to identify

the key aspects of the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem

within the Investigation Area requiring further targeted

assessment for development of a Detailed ERA

Objective of the Preliminary ERA


• Identify ecosystems not at risk

• Potential for adverse effects on terrestrial (land-based) and

aquatic (water-based) wildlife species that live within the

Investigation Area

• The potential for adverse effects to occur as a result of

direct exposure (e.g. ingesting impacted surface water)

• The potential for adverse effects to occur due to

bioaccumulation of PFAS in food sources

What can the Preliminary ERA tell us?

• Potential for adverse effects on domestic animals,

including livestock

• Potential impacts on every type of animal in the

Investigation Area

• The specific nature of any potential adverse effects, e.g.

general health or reproductive issues

What can’t the Preliminary ERA tell us?


Findings

Direct Exposure

Risks associated with exposure to PFAS affected soil for plants

and animals:

- On-Base - have the potential to pose an unacceptable risk.

- Off-Base - risks are low and acceptable

Risks associated with exposure to PFAS affected sediment and

surface water, at the reported concentrations:

- On-Base - have the potential to pose an unacceptable risk to

aquatic animals and plants in areas and areas A, B (surface

water only) and C

- Off-Base - are low and acceptable in Areas B (sediment

only), D and E


?

?


Assessment Areas

Findings Bioaccumulation

Risks to fish from bioaccumulation within tissue has

the potential to pose an unacceptable risk on-Base

and within Area A.

Risks to fish from bioaccumulation within tissue are

low and acceptable for Areas B, C, D and E.


?


Assessment Areas

Preliminary ERA: Where to next?

• This is the first step in understanding potential ecological

impacts from PFAS detected within the Investigation Area

• Defence is using the findings of this Preliminary ERA to

provide a conservative estimate of potential exposure and

assist in understanding where further assessment is required

to complete a Detailed ERA in 2017


Ongoing and future actions for 2017

August 2015 Session #5

Voluntary Blood Testing

The Department of Health has commenced the:

• Voluntary blood testing program

• Epidemiological study

The Department of Defence interim reimbursement program:

• While the Voluntary blood testing program was being

developed, the Department of Defence established interim

arrangements to reimburse individuals who have already

obtained blood tests

• These interim arrangements will cease now the Department of

Health program has commenced


Annual Residential Sampling Program

• Annual re-sampling program of residential water has commenced

• Property owners will be contacted to gain access and results will be provided to the land owner

• The results of the residential water samples will be used to inform the updated ESA, HHRA and ERA


Future investigation activities • Undertaken in consultation with NSW Government

• Further investigations commenced to address current data gaps and

uncertainties: o Refinement of both the Southern Area and the entire Investigation Area

o Refinement of the hydrogeological model

o Research into the uptake of PFAS in fruit, vegetables and eggs

o Seafood sampling

o Additional surface water, groundwater and sediment data collection

o Update ESA, HHRA and ERA as required

o Development of a Management Plan


Management actions through 2017

• Lake Cochran outflow water treatment plant

• Management of construction and maintenance activities

• Emerging compounds treatment technologies (ECT2) demonstration plant

• Drain works, on and off Base

• Removal of source areas

• Offsite drain maintenance activities


• Solidification

• Stabilisation

• In-situ Oxidation

• In-situ Reduction

• Foam Fractionation / Separation

• Ultrasonification / Sonochemistry

Management and remediation Trials


• Implementation of management solutions such as Hunter

Water Corporation connection to town supply

• Ongoing liaison with NSW EPA

• Ongoing liaison with industry and regulatory professionals

nationally and internationally

• Ongoing community engagement

Ongoing actions


Thank you

Contact us Phone: 1800 011 443 free call (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm)

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.defence.gov.au/id/williamtown

Mail:

RAAF Base Williamtown Stage 2 Environmental Investigation

C/O AECOM Pty Ltd

PO Box 1307

Fortitude Valley Qld 4006

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.defence.gov.au/id/williamtown

community update information session · community update information session – ... december 2016...

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