Experts have released new guidelines for dealing with sites contaminated with fire-fighting foams.

The CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CARE) says it has compiled the most up-to-date, evidence-based advice for assessing, managing and remediating the emerging contaminants PFOS and PFOA.

Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) have been detected at firefighter-training locations, including airports and other aviation facilities, not only across Australia, but also worldwide.

PFOS and PFOA belong to a large group of compounds known as per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

PFAS are extremely stable chemical compounds that are potentially harmful to people, animals and the environment. Their stability gives them very useful properties for multiple industrial uses, including in firefighting foams, nonstick cookware, food packaging, insecticides, and waterproof and fire-resistant fabric.

However, this same property also means that they do not break down easily and therefore accumulate in the environment. They are now so widespread that almost every person on Earth has been exposed to PFAS.

The guidance will help practitioners and regulators (including state-based environment protection authorities) make decisions about whether a PFAS-contaminated site requires further investigation.

As well as describing a range of remediation options, the guidance includes:

  • human health screening levels (HSLs) and ecological screening levels (ESLs) for PFOS and PFOA contamination in soil, groundwater, surface water and sediment
  • information on how to apply the screening values
  • a risk-based approach to the management and remediation of PFOS and PFOA contamination.

The guidance is consistent with the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure and the National Water Quality Management Strategy, as well as guidance issued by the Environmental Health Standing Committee (enHealth) and the Department of Energy and Environment. It will also complement the National Remediation Framework currently being developed by CRC CARE.

CRC CARE says it will update the guidance as required if and when health advice changes – for example, if enHealth adjusts its interim tolerable daily intake (TDI) values.

The CRC CARE guidance is available here.