Testing for toxic firefighting foam expands into bay

Testing in the tidal area of an Auckland bay will begin this week for the same banned firefighting foam compounds that contaminated water supplies in Ohakea.

Traces of the chemicals were found at the Devonport Naval Base in February, and further testing is to be carried out in Ngataringa Bay, a Defence Force spokeswoman said.

This would provide more information on the contamination and confirm the initial results.

‘‘This week we’ll start limited testing of a tidal area at Ngataringa Bay to better understand the potential presence of PFAS in the area.’’

PFAS is a group of man-made chemicals that build up in the human body when there’s continued exposure. There have been links to various illnesses in cases of high exposure in Australia and the United States.

They include chemicals used in firefighting foam chemicals that were banned in 2006.

In November it was revealed the toxic foam had contaminated water supplies at properties near Ohakea and Woodbourne airbases.

The Defence Force is also testing wells and the network water supplies at Bulls and Sanson, which are near the Ohakea air force base.

The spokeswoman said these results were expected back in April.

The Defence Force confirmed in February it was also expanding the testing area around Ohakea to see if water contaminated by toxic firefighting foam had spread. Those results were also expected in April.

The spokeswoman said the NZDF had been concentrating its investigations at Ohakea and Woodbourne bases, where firefighting training has occurred and drinking water at nearby properties was taken from bores and wells.

Drinking water at the Devonport base and township is sourced from Auckland city town supply and is therefore not affected.

The Ministry for Primary Industries has said there is no evidence or suggestion of a current food safety issue. The Ministry of Health advice continues to be that there is no acute health risk.