“It will probably be another month before Katherine residents will officially learn the local produce they should avoid.
Residents in zone one, those in the direct path of the PFAS contamination from the Tindal RAAF Base to the Katherine River, will be most at risk…
High levels of PFAS were found in eggs, meat, fish and even some fruit and vegetables during the latest round of testing in region.
A NT Department of Health spokeswoman today said there were delays in preparing the warnings.
The department is working with various Government agencies on the NT PFAS Interagency Steering Committee in reviewing the Human Health Risk Assessments for Tindal, the spokeswoman said.
The public has been told the department was provided with that assessment ahead of the residents on June 18.
That update meeting hosted by the Department of Defence was told eggs had been found to be contaminated in zone one around the RAAF Base.
High PFAS concentrations were found in other sampling, with particular concern for people using bore water to irrigate their gardens.
‘Limitations are to be placed on the amount of finfish and aquatic foods caught in Katherine waterways,’ the experts have advised.
‘The Department of Health has subsequently contracted Food Standards Australia New Zealand to provide further dietary assessment reports for each of the Human Health Risk Assessments released and will use this information to develop appropriate public health advice on the numbers of serves of fish flesh and livers, crustaceans, eggs, fruit and vegetables that can be safely consumed from the affected areas’ the spokeswoman said.”
Read the full article by Chris McLennan