Questions about an environmental contamination at Kapooka remain unanswered, leaving residents in the dark.
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It follows an investigation into the use of legacy firefighting foam, known to contain toxic and carcinogenic ingredients, at the Wagga site.
The widespread use of per-fluoroalkyl and poly-fluoroalkyl substances – commonly known as PFAS – has triggered international distress in recent years, with the US Environmental Protection Agency concluding the family of industrial chemicals were a human health hazard
While a panel of Australian health experts in June said there was not enough evidence to support claims PFAS consumption was significantly harmful to people, a Fairfax Media report revealed – at high enough levels – it could cause immune dysfunction, reproductive issues and certain types of cancer.
A Department of Defence report in June revealed the pollutant migrated from RAAF Base Wagga through the Forest Hill storm water drains, seeping into the surface and ground water at the Gumly Gumly wetlands.
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But results of a similar investigation at Kapooka have been kept under wraps.
Department of Defence was this week asked to provide details of its two-stage investigation at Blamey Barracks.
The first stage included a historical review, site inspection and limited sampling, which subsequently prompted tests of the soil and groundwater quality around some “areas of concern”.
But this was two years ago.
Despite numerous requests, Defence was unable to provide a response to The Daily Advertiser’s questions at the time of publication.
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