PFAS Environmental Management Program Community Information Session RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation 22 September 2016 Session #2 RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation Acknowledgment of Country We would like to respectfully acknowledge the Noongar People of the Whadjuk region, the traditional custodians of the land on which this meeting takes place, and also pay respect to Elders both past and present. RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation Agenda • Welcome • About – PFAS – AFFF in Defence – Defence PFAS Environmental Management Program • About this Environmental Investigation Project – Background – PSI Report – Next Steps • Question and Answer Forum • Informal Q&A and Information Session About PFAS and the Defence PFAS Environmental Management Program - r? till}. n; . _n1 H. trauma] Imam RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation What are PFAS? • Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or ‘PFAS’, are a class of manufactured chemicals that have been used since the 1950s to make products that resist heat, stains, grease and water • Until recently, this group of chemicals was known as perfluorinated chemicals, or ‘PFCs’ RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation What are PFAS? • Legacy fire fighting foam used extensively worldwide, and within Australia, from the 1970s by both civilian and military authorities contained PFAS including: – PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) – PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) • PFAS are of concern around the world because they persist in the environment RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation Health • Defence is not an authority on public health • Environmental Health Standing Committee (enHealth) of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee has issued guidance statements on PFAS • WA Dept of Health have information on PFAS available on their website RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation Government Guidelines • To inform Defence investigations: – Defence Contamination Directive #8 – Interim screening criteria established by enHealth in June 2016 • The values were independently reviewed and found to be appropriate and protective of public health in the interim. • The values will remain in place until Food Standards Australia New Zealand completes an assessment and provides its advice on final human health reference values to the Commonwealth Department of Health. RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation AFFF use in Defence From 1970s Defence commenced use of AFFF containing PFOS/PFOA In 2003 Defence became aware that PFOS/PFOA was an emerging persistent organic pollutant – Defence released a specification for the supply and testing of AFFF concentrates From 2004 Defence introduced a new foam and commenced phasing out use of the old foams for both training and emergencies Currently For emergencies, Defence uses a foam that does not contain PFOS and PFOA as active ingredients Defence uses a training foam which does not contain PFOS and PFOA Foam is captured and disposed of in accordance with current regulations RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation About the Defence Program • Defence National PFAS Environmental Management Program was established in late 2015 • Defence is finalising its investigations at: – RAAF Williamtown (Newcastle NSW) – Army Aviation Training Centre (Oakey Qld) • Defence commenced investigations in May 2016 at: – RAAF Base Pearce – HMAS Albatross (Nowra NSW) – RAAF Base East Sale (Sale Vic) • Defence is planning investigations at a number of additional sites • Defence is working closely with Commonwealth and State Governments and other relevant agencies '5 I i 7 2i.? trauma] Imam RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation About this investigation • The environmental investigation in Bullsbrook is being undertaken in accordance with the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure 1999 (NEPM) – Preliminary site investigation – Detailed site investigation including a human health and ecological risk assessment (if required) • GHD Pty Ltd engaged as specialist environmental consultants to undertake the investigation • Senversa Pty Ltd engaged to conduct a peer-review/ auditing function _n1 ?rl 522:; . . I him-arm Imam ?mum-mm,? RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation Preliminary Site Investigation Aim: to understand Source-Pathway-Receptor linkages and priorities for the Detailed Site Investigation • Site history assessment – Site interviews, stakeholder information, inspecting site • Develop Conceptual Site Model to identify: – Sources (where and when AFFF was used) – Pathways (how PFAS moves in the environment and the potential pathways to people and the environment) – Receptors (people and the environment that may be exposed to PFAS) • Preliminary sampling and screening of risk level – off-base private groundwater bores • Develop a plan for the detailed site investigation works RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation Preliminary investigation findings Groundwater (residential bores) 22 residential bores sampled • 19 non detects (below the ‘limit of reporting’) • 3 detects of PFAS, but all less than Australian guideline values. Concentrations range from: – PFOA: no detections – PFOS: < LOR - 0.07 µg/L – PFHxS: < LOR - 0.19 µg/L – PFHxA: < LOR - 0.02 µg/L • enHealth drinking water values: – PFOS + PFHxS – 0.5 µg/L – PFOA – 5 µg/L RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation Preliminary Investigation Key Findings Sources • Four key areas of interest identified on site: – fire training area (Source A) – former fire training areas (Source B) – maintenance hangar and foam disposal pit (Source C) – grounds maintenance area (Source D) RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation Preliminary Investigation Key Findings Pathways – surface water and drainage lines • • • • • • • General grade NE to SW Ellen Brook along western boundary Ki-it Monger Brook along south-eastern boundary Three principal drainage catchments North – one discharge point to Ellen Brook West – eight discharge points to Ellen Brook, one to Ki-it Monger Brook East – five discharge points to Ki-it Monger Brook RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation Preliminary Investigation Key Findings Conceptual Site Model: Receptors – Human RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation Preliminary Investigation Key Findings Conceptual site model: Receptors – Ecological RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation Where can you find a copy of the PSI Report? Published version available at: • Project website - www.defence.gov.au/id/pearce/ • Bullsbrook Library - Chittering Road, Bullsbrook Investigation Next Steps RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation Detailed Investigation Works • Work with stakeholders to confirm further works, likely to comprise: – Soil • On-base soil samples (approx 120 samples) – Surface water and sediment • On-base - Sample drainage channels (approx 21 samples) • Off-base – Sample natural waterways (Ellen and Ki-it Monger Brooks) upstream and downstream (approx 15 samples) RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation Detailed Investigation Works – Groundwater • Install additional shallow monitoring bores on-base (13 on-base, 8 boundary) • Gauge all bores, sample and assess existing on- and off-base and all new on-base locations (total of 43 groundwater samples) – Biota sampling • Fish and crustacean in Ellen and Ki-it Monger Brooks (approx. 6 samples) – Reporting • A detailed report will be prepared and shared with relevant government and regulatory bodies as well as the community RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment (HHERA) A more detailed assessment to better understand the risk to people and the environment may be undertaken, if required. - The HHERA will be triggered if results during the investigation exceed guideline values - The HHERA is a detailed, scientific process that may involve further sampling (on and off-base) - The results of the HHERA assist with planning for managing risks and remediation RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation Outline Schedule Ongoing community consultation Detailed Investigation Works • Scoping and Planning: August - September 2016 • Field Works and Analysis: September – November 2016 • Reporting of Results: December 2016 - January 2017 Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment • Confirm Requirement: October 2016 If required • Scoping and Planning: October 2016 • Field Works and Analysis: November 2016 – February 2017 • Reporting of Results: February – May 2017 '5 I i 7 2i.? trauma] Imam RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation Defence’s Ongoing Commitments • Provision of drinking water to eligible residents as required • Continued consultation with WA state and local governments • Ongoing liaison with industry and regulatory professionals nationally and internationally to explore management options, including potential remediation technologies • Ongoing and transparent community engagement RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation In Summary • Preliminary site investigation has been completed • Detailed site investigation works have commenced • Results are independently audited • If required a detailed risk assessment will be triggered to understand potential impact to Bullsbrook people and the environment RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation In Summary • enHealth and WA Dept of Health have guidelines and information on PFAS available • Defence will keep you informed and will continue to consult with all relevant Federal and State and local government agencies • If you have any questions or concerns please contact the project team RAAF Base Pearce Environmental Investigation Need more information? • Defence wants to keep you informed – – – – Phone: 1800 987 614 Email: bullsbrook.defence@ghd.com Website: www.defence.gov.au/id/pearce Post: PO Box 3106 Perth WA 6832 • Additional information sessions will be held during the course of the project • General information about the national Defence program can be found at: www.defence.gov.au/ID/PFOSPFOA/ Questions? muh?trana and Natl-3m] Int-Haas m?t?nqum '5 I i 7 2i.? trauma] Imam