Toxic Foam
Firefighters refused free toxic-chemicals blood test
Fire and Emergency New Zealand is refusing to pay for blood tests for firefighters concerned about exposure to the damaging chemicals PFAS.
Residents alerted to toxic foam contamination
Farms and lifestyle blocks beside Palmerston North Airport are being alerted to firefighting foam contamination in waterways.
Toxic foam: Lack of central govt help in investigation
The Ministry for the Environment may need to "bang some heads together" over firefighting foam contamination, Local Government New Zealand says.
Toxic foam: Govt widens contamination investigation
The government is expanding the investigation into water and soil contamination from chemicals commonly found in firefighting foam.
Toxic foam: Discrepancy in Defence Force reports
Documents about the nationwide firefighting foam contamination investigation show the Defence Force told the public one thing, but said something different in internal reports.
Toxic foam: more dodgy water supplies discovered in Manawatū
More households near Ōhakea Air Base have discovered their water supplies are contaminated with chemicals from a toxic firefighting foam.
Toxic foam: Govt admits new test to assess health impacts 'essential'
The government now admits it's "essential" to use a new, wide-ranging test to assess the health impacts of firefighting foam contamination, but the test is not being used.
Toxic foam: Ohakea locals demand blood tests
Ohakea farmer Andy Russell who owns land contaminated by toxic firefighting foam is shocked the government is telling people not to get blood tests. Locals near the defence base where the foam has… Audio
Toxic foam: Council questions type of testing
A central North Island regional council is asking questions about the type of testing being done to detect firefighting foam contamination. Audio
NZ's in-use firefighting foams banned overseas
Analysis - New Zealand firefighters are using foams most of Australia ditched years ago over environmental and health fears, while outdated testing here also fails to pick up nasty chemicals, Phil…
Toxic foam: Auckland councillors wait for details
Nearly two weeks after RNZ News revealed high levels of toxic contamination in Devonport's groundwater, Auckland councillors have finally had a briefing from government officials. The Defence Force… Audio
Banned toxic foam found at three more airports
Toxic banned firefighting foam has been found at three more airports.
Toxic foam contamination well above the recommended limit
Some groundwater at Devonport Naval Base has 50 to 100 times more firefighting foam contamination than the recommended maximum.
Banned toxic foam contaminates Devonport bay
Newly-released documents show banned toxic firefighting foam chemicals have contaminated a bay in Devonport and a Woodbourne well used until recently for drinking water. The revelations are in a… Audio
Banned toxic foam found at Nelson Airport
Toxic firefighting foam that has been illegal in New Zealand for 12 years has been found in firetrucks and storage sheds at Nelson Airport, the Environmental Protection Authority says.
Hobsonville Point development cleared of contamination
A Hobsonville Point development on the site of a former airbase has been cleared for toxic-foam contamination, its chief executive says.
Toxic foam: Officials underplaying risks - US expert
An American expert in public health says New Zealand officials are deliberately underplaying risks from firefighting foam that's contaminated water supplies near air force bases. On Morning Report the… Audio
Toxic foam: Ohakea neighbours vent anger at meeting
Residents near the Ohakea air force base expressed anger at a meeting last night about water contamination from toxic foam chemicals. Andy Russell owns a deer farm which is one of five properties near… Audio
Toxic foam: 'Put people first' - Dr Rye Senjen
An environmental group is lobbying for free blood tests for people possibly affected by chemicals found in firefighting foam used at Ohakea and Sanson airbases. Free tests are available but only for… Audio
Toxic Foam: NZers must protect themselves - Australian fireman
An Australian firefighter with alarming levels of toxic foam chemicals in his blood says New Zealanders must take protecting their health into their own hands. This comes after an environmental… Audio