THE United Firefighters Union has accused the CFA of using life-threatening bacteria to remove toxins from water at its Fiskville training base.
A UFU report seen by the Weekly details a “consistent and systematic failure” to provide safe water for firefighting training after high levels of the strain pseudomonas aeruginosa were found in 2007.
But a CFA spokesman said the strain was naturally occurring and a sign of a healthy water system.
UFU spokesman Mick Tisbury accused the CFA of putting the health of its firefighters at risk with the bacteria, which has been used to clean up oil spills.
“The levels for this organism were through the roof,” he said.
“The safe level of pseudomonas aeruginosa is 10 organisms per 100millilitres, but there were recorded levels of 33,000 per 100millilitres in dam one. There were no levels of pseudomonas aeruginosa in dam two.
“Blind Freddy can see they were using it as a cheap way of breaking down toxins.”
Mr Tisbury said that in 2008, dam two recorded 800 organisms per 100millilitres.
But a CFA spokesman
said the two main health indicators were within acceptable health parameters when last tested.
“Pseudomonas aeruginosa occurs naturally in dams at Fiskville,” he said.
The Weekly contacted the Health Department, Department of Primary Industries, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Environmental Protection Authority, Austin Hospital, Melbourne University and the Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory, although none could provide information on the strain.
But the head of the infectious disease epidemiology unit at Monash University, Dr Karin Leder, said there were potential health risks with exposure to pseudomonas aeruginosa, particularly for those with weakened immune systems.
“PA is a ubiquitous organism so whether there would be incremental risks for immuno-
compromised people, even if they had some contact with this contaminated water source, is uncertain,” Dr Leder said.
“Exposure to PA can cause severe infections, especially in the lungs, kidney and skin.
“‘However, I would not expect significant health consequences if PA-contaminated water was used by firefighters, especially if they were healthy and had no lung problems or problems with their immune systems.”
The CFA is using mains water for training while the system is reviewed.
WorkSafe said it was satisfied with the CFA’s response.
