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Defence personnel will have access to blood testing for contamination from potentially toxic fire-fighting foam according to Defence Minister Marise Payne.
Ms Payne made the announcement while in Nowra on Wednesday while campaigning with Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis, but was unable to confirm when the testing would take place.
Potentially harmful firefighting foam was used extensively by the military from the early 1970s, with Nowra Hill naval base, HMAS Albatross, currently undergoing environmental testing along with a number of other sites across the state.
Colin Stubbs, a firefighter at HMAS Albatross for 30 years both as a defence member and contractor, has called for mandatory blood testing for all military personnel who may have been exposed to firefighting foams.
“We’re obviously in the very early process of testing in this area,” Ms Payne said.
“Once we know the results of those tests, then we will know if people wish to pursue blood tests, but of course that opportunity will be available.”
Minister Payne was unable to confirm when blood testing would be available or if compensation would be provided if personnel were found to be affected.
“This is a very long process,” she said.
“It’s a national issue for us not just in relation to defence but it’s becoming an issue at airports and various firefighting locations.
“In terms of how we deal with that process, we need to finalise the testing, that is the first step. Then we have to come back to communities and talk to them about what’s going to happen.
“There are only two nationally accredited laboratories in Australia who actually do the test.
“It does take some months to make sure you get the right geographic, geological and environmental spread.
“That process is under way. I don’t have a fixed timeline on that from defence, but this is obviously a priority area and we want to complete that as soon as possible.
“Ideally I would very much hope that we have been able to contain the PFOS and PFOA within the base, that it is not an external issue. But we obviously have to be responsible in the way we approach that and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Mr Stubbs said testing for military or former military personnel should be expedited.
He shocked a recent meeting regarding possible contamination at the base when he disclosed firefighters were told the foams 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.
“I’ve asked questions but I don’t know where to go too from here,” he said.
“Lots of doctors don’t have a clue about it, or where to get testing done and what it may actually involve.”
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.