After drinking contaminated water at his farm shed for 40 years Ōhakea farmer Andy Russell wants to know how much toxic substance from firefighting foam is in his blood.
He’s one of at least 13 people who live or work around the Ōhakea Airforce Base who have asked to have their blood tested for the presence of the per or poly fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that have been in firefighting foam used at the base.
Russell had his blood test on September 3, and said the results are six weeks away.
"We don’t know what elevated levels in our blood will mean."
He chairs the residents’ group formed in response to news that compounds from the foams have spread 3km from the base in groundwater.
Little was known about PFAS when is was first found at Ōhakea, a NZDF spokesperson said.
More testing found two of the substances, PFOS and PFOA, were above guideline levels.
In September modelling showed contamination could have moved beyond the base, and the NZDF wanted to contact neighbours and test their water.
PFOS and PFOA are no longer approved for use in firefighting foams in New Zealand, an All of Government PFAS spokesperson said.
Other, less damaging, PFAS compounds may be in firefighting foams still in use.