Lord Howe Island
The EPA and Lord Howe Island Board are investigating potential PFAS contamination stemming from historical use of fire-fighting foams on the Island.
Preliminary investigations have found PFAS in soil and groundwater samples close to the airport, lagoon and depot. The detection of PFAS is not unexpected given the past use of PFAS-containing fire-fighting foams at these locations. PFAS has also been used in many domestic and industrial products and background levels may be present from these other sources.
Further investigations will now be undertaken to better understand the extent of the PFAS presence, and what measures might need to be put in place to manage this. These further investigations will consist of additional soil, sediment and water sampling, and may require testing of residential groundwater bores to verify the initial results.
At this stage, residents and visitors to the Island do not need to take any precautionary steps to reduce their exposure to PFAS.
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