In May 2018, the Federal Government’s PFAS Expert Health Panel released their report into into health effects from PFAS (PDF 46KB). While the PFAS Expert Health Panel have concluded that there is no current evidence to suggest an increase in overall health risk related to PFAS exposure, it also said health effects cannot be ruled out.
On this basis, it is appropriate that the precautionary advice below continues to be followed.
Precautionary Advice for the Primary Management Zone
The NSW Government is recommending that residents within the Primary Management Zone follow this precautionary advice to minimise their exposure to PFAS chemicals originating from the RAAF Base Williamtown:
- Groundwater, bore water and surface water should NOT be used for ANY PURPOSE
- Additionally, do NOT do anything with groundwater, bore water or surface water (including in creeks and drains) that might lead to incidental ingestion (swallowing)
- Home grown foods produced in your area should NOT be consumed. This includes home-slaughtered meat, poultry, eggs, milk, fruit and vegetables.
Precautionary Advice for the Secondary and Broader Management Zones
The NSW Government is recommending that residents within the Secondary and Broader Management Zones follow this precautionary advice to minimise their exposure to PFAS chemicals originating from the RAAF Base Williamtown:
- Do NOT use groundwater, bore water or surface water for drinking or cooking
- AVOID swallowing groundwater or surface water when bathing, showering, swimming and paddling (including in creeks and drains). Groundwater and surface water should NOT be used for swimming or paddling pools
- AVOID eating home grown food produced in your area – including home-slaughtered meat, eggs, milk, poultry, fruit and vegetables
Advice applicable to the entire Management Area
- It is safe to drink and use water from the reticulated supply (town water)
- Drain clearing works do not pose a significant risk and any potential exposure to PFAS can be appropriately managed by following proper OH&S practices which restrict the potential for incidental ingestion of drain water.
Seafood advice
The current advice relating to seafood remains appropriate. The NSW Government has assessed individual species of seafood at different fishing areas on multiple occasions. This advice is outlined below.
People who personally source and eat fish and seafood from the Hunter River Estuary, Fullerton Cove and Tilligerry Creek, such as fishers and local residents, should limit the number of servings of individual species (see table below). Sourcing seafood from a variety of locations including the ocean and waterways outside these areas will assist in minimising exposure. Seafood for sale remains safe to eat.
Recommended maximum intake based on eating a single species caught from the Hunter River Estuary, Fullerton Cove and Tilligerry Creek
|
Number of serves |
Children – 2 to 6 year old |
All other age groups |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Fish |
Crustacea |
Fish |
Crustacea |
|
<0.5 serve total per week |
|
School Prawns* |
|
|
|
0.5 serve total per week |
Dusky Flathead |
Mud Crab |
|
BlueSwimmer Crab |
|
1 serve total per week |
Sea Mullet |
|
Dusky Flathead |
School Prawns |
|
Up to 4 serves total per week |
Yellowfin Bream |
|
Sea Mullet |
|
|
Up to 8 serves total per week |
|
|
Sand Whiting |
|
* If recreational fishers capture School Prawn from the Hunter River, it is recommended that they follow the advice above.
Note:
- This table lists the number of serves of a single species that can be eaten each week to result in an exposure to half of the health based guideline value.
- Serving size = 150 grams
- Species specific information is for when a single species of fish is eaten per week. Eating multiple species would result in a greater exposure.