PORT’S TOXIC SHOCK

DANGEROUS CHEMICAL IN GROUND WATER

ELEVATED levels of a dangerous toxic chemical have been detected in groundwater around the Port of Townsville. PFAS was discovered during routine voluntary groundwater testing conducted by Port employees.

The Port is now working with Queensland Government departments and independent experts to investigate the findings further.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ( PFAS) are man- made chemicals that have been used in industrial and household products since the 1950s.

Human exposure to PFAS through drinking water can have serious health consequences.

Port of Townsville chief executive Ranee Crosby said the source and extent of PFAS in the groundwater was not yet known but confirmed the chemical had not impacted drinking water.

“We wish to assure residents in the area that these re- sults do not relate to water connected to town supplies, which is used by Townsville residents for drinking,” she said. “No groundwater in the Port is used for human consumption.

“However, it is important that the community around the Port is provided with the earliest advice regarding the detection of PFAS, particularly households having bores,” she said.

Ms Crosby said the Port received the test results late on Tuesday and immediately began working with regulators to determine the “next steps”.

“The Port area is fully re- claimed land and its origins are in locations where there have been a range of industrial uses over 150 years,” she said.

The most elevated readings were recorded at the boundary of the Port, where historical activities have included a coal fired power station, old naval bunker lines, railway operations and former fuel storage facilities. Ms Crosby said a preliminary investigation into the nature and extent of the PFAS concentration will now be conducted within the Port boundary and the wider South Townsville area.

“There’s a lot we don’t know yet but we’ve seen some of these situations unfold around the country, and the earliest that we’ve got the results we wanted to let the community to know,” she said.

Ms Crosby said the investigation would take about eight weeks to complete and confirmed the results would be made available to the public.

“We are working closely with Queensland Health, the Department of Environment and Science, Townsville City Council and other experts to undertake this further testing and investigations to ensure the health and wellbeing of the community and the environment,” she said.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Environment and Science said further investigation by the Port was required to determine the extent of contamination.

“( The department) regulates activities at the Port and will ensure appropriate groundwater investigations are undertaken, including further sampling,” she said.

“The department expects the Port of Townsville to continue to keep the community closely informed as further information becomes available.”

The Port has set up a 24hour information hotline for the residents on 4781 1500.