What is the situation at Austral Rural Fire Station?
PFAS investigations have commenced at the Austral Rural Fire Station, 59 Ninth Avenue, Austral, NSW 2179.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) is monitoring the progress of NSW RFS (RFS) PFAS investigations at the Austral Rural Fire Station.
A NSW Site Auditor has been engaged to independently review contaminated land consultant reports to ensure the methods and interpretation of data are consistent with NSW EPA endorsed guidelines.
Why is PFAS being investigated?
Foam containing PFAS was used in firefighting activities, such as fuel type fires and training, by some Rural Fire Brigades since 1975 for the protection of people and property.
The RFS identified PFAS-containing firefighting foam might have been stored or used as part of fire training and operations at this location. As a precaution, the RFS is undertaking investigations to determine if PFAS from firefighting foam might still be present in the environment.
The presence of PFAS in the environment may not necessarily pose a risk to human health or the environment. There is currently no consistent evidence that exposure to PFOS and PFOA causes adverse human health effects (refer to NSW Health Site). It is important to assess if there are any potential ways in which people might have contact with these chemicals. The primary PFAS exposure pathways are through drinking water containing PFAS or eating produce that was grown using water containing PFAS. Local residents are connected to the town water supply.
What testing is being undertaken?
Detailed Site Investigations have been undertaken at the site between February 2021 and August 2023 by an independent environmental consultant on behalf of the RFS, including concrete, soil, sediment, surface water, and groundwater sampling on and offsite.
An Ecological Risk Assessment was undertaken in February 2021, and a Human Health Risk Assessment undertaken in August 2023 to define potential risks to human health and ecological receptors due to the presence of PFAS contamination onsite.
What were the findings?
Sampling has confirmed the presence of PFAS in concrete, surface water and soil samples on and offsite above adopted assessment criteria.
What happens now?
RFS, NSW EPA and the Site Auditor have reviewed reports associated with the site to determine the next steps. Additional investigations will be undertaken to further assess the nature and extent of PFAS contamination on and offsite and determine if management and/or remediation is required.
PFAS assessments and monitoring programs can take months to complete.
Reports
- Detailed Site Investigation, June 2023
- PFAS Environmental Site Assessment, August 2023
- Human Health Risk Assessment, August 2023
- Ecological Site Assessment, November 2024