The Department of Health has extended until the end of August the time it will take to assess the levels of perfluorinated chemicals, also known as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs) in Darwin’s Rapid Creek and Ludmilla Creek.  

Chief Health Officer, Dr Hugh Heggie, said the Department of Health has engaged Charles Darwin University to develop an appropriate Aquatic Foods Monitoring program and arrange for independent sampling of sediment and marine samples from the creeks.

“Larrakia Ranger team leaders and senior rangers from the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation are involved in the collection of sediment and marine samples from the creeks,” Dr Heggie said.

“CDU and the department feel that the knowledge of the Larrakia people will help underpin the success of the study.

 “An increased number of samples will be taken in this study to minimise any level of uncertainty around the test results,” Dr Heggie said.

Samples collected by the Larrakia rangers will be independently assessed at the University of Queensland’s National Centre for Environmental Toxicology for levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfuorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).

“Since we made our initial announcement both universities have decided that taking more samples will ensure greater integrity with the results.”

Amendments reflecting the new time scale are being made to the warning signs erected along both creeks, Dr Heggie said.  

The current sampling program follows preliminary water testing by the NT Government in April which revealed the presence of elevated levels of these chemicals in both creeks.

It is believed the major source of these chemicals is fire-fighting foam used at Darwin Airport by both Defence and Civil authorities.

Media contact: Fred McCue 0401 119 792