The state’s environmental watchdog says the risk for potential exposure to contamination from an industrial chemical at Tamworth airport appears to be low.
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The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has reviewed preliminary site investigation results for PFAS contamination at the airport and said that although there are elevated levels onsite, the “risk for potential exposure to the surrounding area appears low”.
Further off-site investigations were recommended in order to confirm these results and the EPA said its pleased to see Tamworth Regional Council will start “more comprehensive sampling of soil, groundwater, surface water and drainage lines onsite, and offsite where required”.
Council is also undertaking a local water use survey to determine how residents use water sources on their property, including bore, dam and reticulated water.
This will help to assess any potential exposure pathways, the EPA said.
Council owns the site but did not conduct the historical activities that caused the contamination.
The EPA said “it is encouraged to see council taking a proactive approach to the issue”, adding that “detailed investigations will help to provide meaningful results to the community” about any contamination in their area.
The EPA said it expects these results will be available in the coming months.
“The EPA will continue to work collaboratively with Council to ensure an appropriate, scientific and risk-based approach is adopted throughout the investigations and in any subsequent clean-up of the site, to protect the environment and the community,” an EPA spokesperson said.
“The EPA and council are working to ensure that the community receives information in a timely manner.”