Colin Stubbs, a firefighter at the navy base for 30 years both as a defence member and contractor, voiced his concerns at a recent public meeting to discuss possible contamination at local navy base from chemicals historically used in firefighting foams on the base.

Mr Stubbs shocked the meeting when he disclosed firefighters were told the foams containing perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) or perfluorooctanoic acid (PDFOA) were introduced it was “glorified detergent” and firefighters used the potentially harmful foam to wash their dishes and cars when they ran out of detergent.

“Testing should be made available to all military personnel and especially those who were exposed to the chemicals,” Mr Stubbs said.

“We trained and worked in it all the time. We practically swam in it.

“Any personnel who came into contact with the firefighting foams should have their blood tested.

“And it eventually should go even further to the property owners around the bases. The residents need to find out if there has been any contamination of groundwater.

“The government is talking about issues at RAAF Base Williamtown and Oakey Army Aviation Centre. I believe they are only the tip of the iceberg.”

Mr Stubbs worked at Oakey for six weeks and said it’s firepit was the same as HMAS Albatross.

“I think testing for military or former military personnel should be expedited,” he said.

“I’ve asked questions but I don’t know where to go too from here.

“Lots of doctors don’t have a clue about it, or where to get testing done and what it may actually involve.”

The Department of Defence has started environmental investigations to understand the possible extent and levels of chemicals which were historically used in firefighting foams.

Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis said testing would include the surrounding soils and impact on local water catchments.

She said the Environmental Health Standing Committee guidance statement on perfluorinated compounds released in March stated, ‘There is currently no consistent evidence that exposure to PFOS and PFOAS causes adverse human health effect.’

“While there is remaining uncertainty around their potential to affect human health, it is sensible to reduce exposure to PFCs as far as is practicable,” she said.

“Defence continues to investigate the extent and levels of contamination in soil, surface water and groundwater, while working with world experts to investigate technologies for remediation and containment.

“These results will help develop long term management strategies.”

She said defence continues to engage with the local community, along with local and state authorities, while it continues its environmental investigations.

“However, I invite anyone who has concerns about the process, or about their health, to contact my office for a confidential discussion,” she said.

“It is important for all our people who may feel unsure about the effects of PFOA or PFOS to be reassured that defence is developing a strategy in parallel with the testing processes and with the guidance of the Standing Committee on Environmental Health.”

Meanwhile Labor said it would establish an intergovernmental taskforce to develop a nationally consistent approach to perfluorinated chemical contamination at Williamtown and other Commonwealth sites.

A statement said a Shorten Labor Government would provide additional support to address the immediate needs of the Williamtown community as a result of perfluorinated chemical contamination.

Included in a number of proposals was funding an initial round of 10,000 voluntary blood tests at affected sites across the country to establishing baseline readings to allow for ongoing monitoring of contaminant exposure.

It would also provide a grant to the NSW Government to connect affected properties within the Williamtown investigation area to town water and extend income support for affected commercial fishers until March 2017.

“A Shorten Labor Government will develop a nationally consistent approach for screening and health guidelines, assessments, containment, management, standards and remediation protocols for sites that are identified as being contaminated with perfluorinated chemicals,” the statement said.

Environmental contractors Aurecon Group are undertaking the investigations, taking samples of groundwater, surface water and sediments at HMAS Albatross and in the surrounding area, which will assist in modelling to determine the extent of the chemicals in the area and if further in-depth testing if required.

The issue of possible contamination of the Nowra Hill naval base came to light after groundwater contamination was found at Williamtown at Newcastle in 2012.

Defence is currently investigating the RAAF Base Williamtown, Oakey Army Aviation Centre and Albatross and has testing planned for RAAF Base Pearce and RAAF Base East Sale.