The Expert Panel, chaired by the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, held its ninth meeting today to discuss issues related to the chemical leak from the Williamtown RAAF base.
Members discussed at length a wide range of issues, including sampling and timing matters.
The Panel endorsed the release on the NSW Environment Protection Authority website of the Preliminary Dietary Exposure Assessment – Seafood – Tilligerry Creek and Fullerton Cove, Williamtown NSW Report; however, in doing so, the Panel noted that the Total Daily Intake (TDI) levels may need to be adjusted based on new information from the US Environment Protection Agency and US Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry.
If any adjustment to the report were required, this would not affect the current fisheries closures.
The Expert Panel is in the process of studying this new information.
NSW Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries reported to the Panel that it, in conjunction with the Prawn Industry in the Hunter, has completed comprehensive sampling of prawns to test for PFOS and PFOA.
The samples have been prepared and will be analysed shortly. The Expert Panel will discuss the results once they become available.