Salt Ash Residents Call for Public School To Be Closed Amid Another PFAS Contamination

BY OLIVIA DILLON

 

Community members are calling for Salt Ash Public School to be closed, after elevated PFAS levels were detected on the playground.

The contamination caused by firefighting foam leaking from the nearby RAAF base previously resulted in the school having to switch from its own water bore to town water back in 2018.

In a notification sent to parents, the Department of Education said it would implement some minor additional measures to reduce the risk to students, staff and visitors, including covering the sandpit on the playground and installing synthetic turf on the premises.

However, residents say it's not enough, arguing the school should be closed, and community blood testing should be introduced to help monitor student exposure. 

 

Image: Salt Ash Public School Facebook Page

Two Hunter Schools Closed After Positive COVID Cases Confirmed

 BY IAN CROUCH

Mount Hutton Public School and West Wallsend Public School have been forced to close immediately after positive COVID tests were returned by members of the school communities.

It comes after Choice Pharmacy at Cameron Park was named an exposure site on Friday afternoon for a 10 minute period between 2.45pm and 2.55pm last Friday, 10 September. Anyone who attended the pharmacy at this time is urged to get tested and isolate until a negative result is received.

The Department of Education has confirmed both schools have been closed for deep cleaning and contact tracing.

All staff and students have been directed to self-isolate in line with health advice.