❓ A parliamentary question addresses PFAS contamination, inquiring about reported cases, current clean-up options, and the potential use of industrial hemp for phytoremediation. The response outlines existing guidelines and acknowledges the possibility of considering phytoremediation.
AnsweredQoN 1478Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
INDUSTRIAL HEMP — PFAS CONTAMINATION
1478. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment:
I
refer the minister to a recent study published by Swedish agricultural
scientists suggesting that PFAS—a compound threatening water quality worldwide, as well as
here in Western Australia—can be mitigated through phytoremediation, with cannabis, in the form of industrial hemp, proving to be a fine candidate
crop for such clean-ups.
(1) How many
cases of PFAS or suspected PFAS contamination have been reported to the
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation in the past 12 months?
(2) What
clean-up options are currently employed or recommended by the department in the
event of PFAS contamination?
(3) Will the
minister encourage the department to consider phytoremediation, particularly as
it relates to industrial hemp, as one of its potential solutions going forward?
1478. Hon Dr BRIAN WALKER to the parliamentary secretary representing the
Minister for Environment:
I
refer the minister to a recent study published by Swedish agricultural
scientists suggesting that PFAS—a compound threatening water quality worldwide, as well as
here in Western Australia—can be mitigated through phytoremediation, with cannabis, in the form of industrial hemp, proving to be a fine candidate
crop for such clean-ups.
(1) How many
cases of PFAS or suspected PFAS contamination have been reported to the
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation in the past 12 months?
(2) What
clean-up options are currently employed or recommended by the department in the
event of PFAS contamination?
(3) Will the
minister encourage the department to consider phytoremediation, particularly as
it relates to industrial hemp, as one of its potential solutions going forward?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide the
following answer.
(1) There were 31
cases.
(2) The
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation's Guideline:
Assessment and management of contaminated sites , published in 2021,
outlines in section 12.3 the general process for undertaking an evaluation of
remedial options for all contaminated sites. This guideline does not recommend
any specific remediation options for PFAS.
However, nationally consistent guidance and standards for the management of PFAS contamination is provided in the PFAS national environmental
management plan . Appendix C of the PFAS NEMP provides an overview of a range
of common treatment technologies that are available in Australia.
(3) While DWER
does not recommend or endorse any specific technologies for remediation,
options such as phytoremediation, including
using industrial hemp, may be considered and assessed by the party responsible for remediation in accordance with the guidelines mentioned above.
of the question. On behalf of the Minister for Environment, I provide the
following answer.
(1) There were 31
cases.
(2) The
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation's Guideline:
Assessment and management of contaminated sites , published in 2021,
outlines in section 12.3 the general process for undertaking an evaluation of
remedial options for all contaminated sites. This guideline does not recommend
any specific remediation options for PFAS.
However, nationally consistent guidance and standards for the management of PFAS contamination is provided in the PFAS national environmental
management plan . Appendix C of the PFAS NEMP provides an overview of a range
of common treatment technologies that are available in Australia.
(3) While DWER
does not recommend or endorse any specific technologies for remediation,
options such as phytoremediation, including
using industrial hemp, may be considered and assessed by the party responsible for remediation in accordance with the guidelines mentioned above.
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