Another toxic firefighting foam investigation launched

A new investigation has been launched into the use of banned, toxic firefighting foam.

PFOS and PFOA chemicals were used in firefighting foams, but these foams were banned in 2006 due to their toxicity. There are worries the chemicals could contaminate water.

The Environmental Protection Authority yesterday announced it has joined organisations now scrambling to learn where and when the groups of chemicals were used, and in some cases how far the chemical runoff has now spread. The authority’s investigation will look into whether the foams are still being used, or are still held at airports and other places, and how and where they are stored.

‘‘Provided the foams are appropriately stored they pose no immediate risk to people or the environment,’’ spokesman Michael Pearson said.

On December 7, it was announced tests showed both chemical groups were present in amounts higher than health guidelines allow at air force bases at Ohakea in Manawatu¯ and Woodbourne in Marlborough.

The New Zealand Defence Force and Ministry for the Environment said they had launched a joint project to discover how far the chemicals had spread from the bases, including whether it was present in bore water at more than 60 properties surrounding the Ohakea base and 90 surrounding the Woodbourne base.

Tests for PFOS and PFOA in milk from farms near Ohakea showed they were not present in amounts to cause concern.

The New Zealand Defence Force said it stopped using the chemicals in 2002.

Wellington Airport spokesman Greg Thomas said that airport had also started its own investigation.

‘‘We can now confirm our firefighting foam has not included PFOS and PFOA for around a decade. However, as a precaution, we are undertaking site-wide testing from the historical use of firefighting foam.’’

Palmerston North Airport chief executive David Lanham said it still had the foam available for use, but was switching to a safer product, and would dispose of it safely once replaced.