Here we are in the early days of summer and new danger signals are being broadcast over the danger spread by that fire fighting foam which has neutralised land adjoining military establishments and airports. The spectre of an urgent health warning has sent a jarring note to the operators of tourist amenities in that "Jewel of the South Coast " - Jervis Bay.
Just as the usual invasion of holidaymakers is about to descend on this favoured retreat, parts of Jervis Bay are being closed to human use. This warning includes several popular areas deemed unsuitable for fishing and the collection of seafood. This shadow of PFAS contamination is spreading over the entire Jervis Bay peninsula.
Mary creek is of the greatest concern, but the warning also mentions Flat Rock creek, iconic Hyams beach, Captains Lagoon and Summercloud creek. These are at the peak of tourist popularity and the idea of a holiday where fishing and prawning is banned and swimming in the local waters is questionable is likely to seriously deplete tourist numbers.
Th cause of this health warning points the finger at HMAS Creswell at the northern tip of Jervis Bay and the firing range facility well to the south. The fire fighting foam used at these facilities contains per and poly fluoroalkyl chemicals ( PFAS) which do not break down in the environment. To make matters worse, these creeks drain into Jervis Bay and there is every chance that the contamination will be ever widening. We may have to write off Jervis Bay as a holiday destination.
It is also thought that the contamination is being spread by the local sewer network. Treated water is used to irrigate a local golf course and traces have been found in lake Windermere which is the source of drinking water for the Jervis Bay township.
Sadly, the risk factor of PFAS to humans is still subject to clarification. The Australian Department of Health denies that it causes health effects in humans but scientists in the United States of America disagree. They warn that the weight of evidence indicates that PFAS causes adverse health outcomes, including immune, hormonal and development effects and potentially - cancer.
This warning is a disaster for the owners of tourist facilities built to service the holiday trade. They gain the major portion of their annual income during the Christmas and Easter holiday seasons and this warning will have a dampening effect on numbers. Widespread cancellations are possible and the tourists who do come may inhibit the type of activities that are usually popular.
Jervis Bay's popularity is because of its turquoise water and unblemished white sand. Now that a doubt exists about swimming and both fishing and prawning the attraction is diminished, and if that threat can not be removed by some sort of remedial process the damage will be permanent.
A compensation decision has just been reached for property owners adjoining airports and defence facilities. If that has to be extended to the providers of tourist facilities at Jervis Bay the cost in dollars will be astronomical. Just one of the hazards of seemingly innocuous chemicals in wide use that turn out to have latent harmful tendencies.
It is an interesting thought to wonder how many more are waiting to have their moment in newspaper headlines ?
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