Information obtained by ABC News has identified 60 sites across Queensland with PFAS contamination, including a site in Mount Isa.
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Mount Isa Fire Station was listed with low PFAS levels after water and soil testing was conducted in 2016.
Mount Isa Fire Station returned a PerFluoro-Octanoic Acid (PFOA) concentration of 0.007 and Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFOS) concentration of 0.024, neither exceeding the Commonwealth Health guidelines.
The results were published in April 2017 to offer guidance values for drinking water and recreational water contact.
PFAS chemicals were most often used in fire fighting foams used in training exercises, which is why they have been found to pollute fire stations and Defence bases.
Studies are continuing on whether PFAS chemicals causes health problems but the Federal Health Department advice is for people to minimise exposure to them until the results of these studies are known.
With Mount Isa Fire Station backing onto the river and annual monsoonal weather, concerns were raised about PFAS level in the town water supply at Lake Moondarra.
However Mount Isa Water Board chief executive Stephen Farrelly said there was no reason to be alarmed.
We have conducted our own PFAS testing and there is no danger to the public
- Mount Isa Water Board chief executive Stephen Farrelly
"We have conducted our own PFAS testing and there is no danger to the public," Mr Farrelly said.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services no longer uses Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) and stopped purchasing products containing perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) or perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in 2003.
QFES now uses biodegradable fluorine-free foams for firefighting applications.
A QFES spokesperson said they continue to work with the Department of Environment and Science "to ensure that, in the cases where any firefighting foam is required at an incident or for training purposes, water and foam run-off is disposed of appropriately to prevent contaminants entering waterways."
"QFES has a proactive strategy in place to manage concerns arising from historical AFFF foam use and identify and dispose of any legacy stock located at stations across the state. The strategy includes collecting and testing soil and water samples."
Department of Environment and Science (DES) spokesperson said Queensland was a leader in PFAS management.
"The Queensland Government was the first government in Australia to ban the future use of firefighting foam containing PFOS and PFOA in July 2016, and has implemented a policy to phase out stocks of firefighting foam containing these chemicals.
"The Queensland Government has also implemented new laws that compels a polluter to notify the public if there are any health risks associated with their pollution, such as PFAS contamination.
"Queensland's environmental regulator, the Department of Environment and Science (DES), monitors a number of sites in Queensland where PFAS has been identified to ensure Queenslanders, and the environment, are protected.
"DES is currently tracking a number of sites in Queensland where the potential for PFAS at higher levels may exist.
"The lists of sites currently being reported in media are where PFAS has been identified, but this does not necessarily mean PFAS guidelines have been exceeded."
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