Army base in toxins probe
THE extent of chemical contamination of groundwater at Lavarack Barracks is the latest focus of a Department of Defence probe in Townsville.
Firefighting foams containing perfluorinated chemicals ( PFAS) were used in firefighting foams over decades at Defence sites across Australia and are now the subject of a nationwide investigation into potential contamination.
A separate probe at RAAF Base Townsville is already under way, with a report last November revealing that groundwater samples taken there contained up to 300 times the acceptable level of the toxic chemicals.
Luke McLeod, assistant secretary of the Department of Defence PFAS Investigation and Management Branch, said FOR rugbyb league legend Shane Webcke, mental health is just as important as physical health.
Mr Webcke has partnered with service provider Selectability to host # grit, a Mental Health Awareness Week breakfast event in Townsville on Tuesday.
“As we get older very few people get mental health check- ups, whereas they are always going to the doctor for other things, such as a stomach bug or a similar investigation at Lavarack Barracks started on Thursday with community consultation sessions.
He said the environmental investigation would first examine the historical use of the firefighting foams, consistent with studies at the city’s RAAF base.
The first stage of the probe includes site inspections and may include limited sampling to determine the potential for PFAS contamination.
A detailed site investigation would then take place, including sampling and analysis of soil, water, plants and animals. A human health and ecological risk assessment would then follow if deemed necessary.
A Defence probe into chemicals at the Oakey Army Aviation Centre in southern Queensland is further advanced, with residents warned to not drink groundwater from the investigation area, minimise consumption of homegrown eggs and avoid using groundwater for bathing. flu,” Mr Webcke said. “Life’s a tough thing and there are tough things happening to people all the time, and working out how your brain will deal with it is a really important thing.”
Mr Webcke said there was a stigma attached to mental health preventing people from seeking help.
“Anyone with a depressive episode should go off and see a doctor, and talk to someone,” he said.
“If we could normalise
Mr McLeod said no such warnings were in place in Townsville. He said the main potential exposure route for Townsville residents was through drinking contaminated bore water.
“What we know with ( the) RAAF Townsville ( investigation) is that no one is on bore water. All residents are on town water,” he said.
Mr McLeod said the first stage of the RAAF Base Townsville investigation had been completed.
“We have now gathered a high level of understanding of how water moves on and around the base,” he said.
“The second stage, which we’re in the process of, is to conduct a range of sampling off site and on the base to understand how much of the chemical is in underground aquifers.”
He encouraged residents around Lavarack Barracks to take part in water use surveys.
For more details on the investigations visit defence. gov. au that, the away.”
He said Tuesday’s # grit breakfast was open to anyone to attend.
“It’s all about awareness and education, giving insight that you might be able to take in to help other people,” Mr Webcke said.
# Grit will be held at The Ville Ballroom on Tuesday from 7.30am, with tickets available for $ 65 from townsvilletickets. com. au
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