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Contaminated Land Issues

Contaminated Land Issues covers specific cases of contamination in Tasmania of interest to property owners and local residents. These include soil contamination by lead and cadmium at Lutana due to historic metal stockpiles at the Zinc Works, and potential contamination by perfluorinated compounds (PFAS) due primarily to historic use of firefighting foams containing this group of chemicals.
  • PFAS Contamination
    Perfluorinated compounds (known as PFAS) are a group of manufactured chemicals that have been used worldwide since the 1950s in a range of domestic and industrial products, particularly those that resist heat, stains, grease and water. PFAS are contaminants of global concern because of their widespread use and the fact that they do not break down naturally. They have been found in various concentrations throughout the world and are probably present in small amounts in all people.​
  • Lutana and Parts of Hobart's Eastern Shore
    Metal-rich dust blowing from historic stockpiles on the Zinc Works site at Lutana has led to soil contamination in the surrounding suburbs. While health assessments have found there is no evidence that the health of the residents was affected by the lead and cadmium contamination in soil, the Director of Public Health recommended some precautionary measures be followed by residents in the affected areas so as to further reduce any potential exposure risk.