Jarvis Bay (Jervis Bay), located in southern New South Wales, Australia, is known for its white beaches and pristine waters. A number of public health warning signs have been erected on the coast of Jevis Bay about "potential perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl toxic chemical (PFAS) pollution." The Defense Department recommends that local residents avoid exposure to the waters or eat locally fished seafood.
For decades, fire foam chemicals used in pastures near Jevis Bay have been immersed in waterways, spreading through campsites and bushes to local beaches and into Jarvis Bay, the report said. In the past few weeks, warning signs have been seen at the most popular attractions in Javier Bay, Hames Beach and Potley National Park. The sign warned people not to eat fish and seafood from nearby Mary Creek.
Known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl toxic chemicals, PFAS has been used in dozens of Australian defense base fire foam since the 1970s. Australia's defence ministry said there was no direct link between PFAS and diseases such as cancer and that warning signs were just precautions.
Local residents believe that nearby waters have been polluted for decades. Nearby aboriginal James Williams said the government was aware of the contamination, but had been covering it up until two weeks ago when warning signs were erected. Visitors have to pay admission fees to swim, fish and use public facilities in national parks, he said, but they were not told of the dangers of chemical pollution.
In January 2017, the Defense Department began investigating whether soil and groundwater in range in Javier Bay had been contaminated by chemicals. A risk assessment released on Dec. 6 by the Defense Department found that chemical contamination was "low and acceptable" to residents for threat. "since the beginning of our investigation, we have been open and transparent to information," Defense Department spokesman Chris Boehler said.
Williams said the health warning came too late. Mary Creek in Jarvis Bay has always been a traditional swimming and fishing place. For centuries, the land's inhabitants have been eating seafood captured in Mary Creek. It is now known that the waters have been infiltrated by PFAS chemicals for more than 20 years. His father, Jimmy, was a former fire brigade fireman at Javier Bay and was diagnosed with liver cancer. Williams himself was diagnosed with eczema. (intern Li Shengyin)