Brisbane firefighting foam forum to cover PFAS policy and practice

The Palaszczuk Government is hosting a three day seminar in Brisbane from today (Tuesday) to provide information and guidance on the environmental management of firefighting foam.

Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles – who will open the seminar this morning – said it will feature Australian and international subject-expert speakers.

Dr Miles said the seminar will provide essential information on best-practice in the use of firefighting foam and state-wide regulatory obligations in relation to firefighting foams.

“Firefighting foams containing per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances are of particular concern, these are being phased out in Queensland, with businesses required to transition to more sustainable foam products and practices,” Dr Miles said.

“This seminar will cover environmental management, foam types and use, risk assessment, site contamination, sampling and assessment, remediation technologies, regulation and policy, waste management, case studies and more.

“It will be an ideal learning forum for end-users of firefighting foam, and their service providers and consultants.”

The Palaszczuk Government last year announced a ban on per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, present in some foams after it became clear the historic use of firefighting foam at industrial facilities and airports was having damaging the environment, economic values and potentially human health.

“Our PFAS policy requires that any existing stocks of foams containing legacy PFAS are withdrawn from service, and similar products phased out and replaced as soon as practicable with more sustainable alternatives,” Dr Miles said.

“The Queensland Fire and Emergency Service has been using PFAS-free firefighting foam since 2003, and from international experience we know there are good alternatives out there for heavy industrial users.”

Dr Miles said the seminar would provide background information and guidance for those transitioning from older foam formulations to best-practice modern or fluorine-free products.

The seminar will also be useful to anyone needing to establish and verify their current foam risk profile and status, or better understand the challenges of legacy site contamination by fluorinated organics of soils and groundwater.

Keynote speakers at the seminar will be Justice Brian Preston, Chief Judge of the New South Wales Land & Environment Court; Dr Erika Houtz formerly of the University of California at Berkeley and now with natural and built asset design & consultancy firm Arcadis; Dr Martin Cornelsen MD of Cornlesen Umwelttechnologie GmbH, Essen, Germany; and Axel Meßling and Ingo Valentin, of the Environment Agency, City of Düsseldorf, Germany.

Dr Erika Houtz, one of the developers of a scientific method to reveal the formerly hidden fluorinated organics content of foams, wastes and contaminated materials, said the seminar would help ensure the state’s policies on these matters were consistent with the latest global developments on managing these issues.

“I am delighted to participate in this important event and help shed light on techniques for improved PFAS identification and characterization,” Dr Houtz said.

“The management of PFAS contamination related to firefighting foam usage is an important global issue and a pressing issue within Australia.

“Significant technological ingenuity is required to adequately characterize and clean up PFAS-contaminated land and water and to develop and assess appropriate replacements for existing foam stocks.

“This conference will provide a comprehensive update on the state of the science around PFAS contaminated land management and ensure that all stakeholders can most effectively address the human health and environmental concerns around PFAS contamination,” Dr Houtz said.

Other speakers at the seminar include government representatives, inter-state environmental regulators, fire engineering consultants, legal counsel in environmental issues, the Insurance Council of Australia, as well as remediation, analytical and waste disposal specialists.

The seminar is being held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, with further information, including how to register for the event, available at http://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/news/firefighting-foam-policy-seminar.html.

ENDS

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