The federal government is holding off on warning Darwin residents about eating fish caught in waterways, despite an environmental watchdog's concerns about toxic chemical levels.
Since March, Defence has been testing waterways that take runoff from the air force base in Darwin to determine the impact of perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOA) chemicals, until recently contained in firefighting foams. Similar testing has been done at bases in Williamtown in NSW and Oakey in Queensland.
The results are not expected until July.
The NT Environment Protection Authority conducted testing at Rapid and Ludmilla Creeks and found the results "concerning", chairman Dr Bill Freedland said last month.
Levels of PFOS at Ludmilla Creek averaged 0.75 micrograms per litre, almost six times the draft national guidelines, and testing in February found Rapid Creek had an average level of 0.34 micrograms per litre, similar to Williamtown.
But Defence Materiel Minister Dan Tehan refused to issue a warning for Darwin residents not to eat crabs or fish caught in those waterways.
"Let's wait and see what the test comes up with and then we can make decisions based on that testing; whatever we do has to be a very informed decision-making process," he told reporters in Darwin on Thursday.
"When it comes to our defence personnel, when it comes to our veterans community, their health and wellbeing is something we take incredibly seriously."
A blood-testing regime has been recommended by a Senate inquiry into the use of the chemicals for people living on or near the affected bases, which Mr Tehan said was "under serious consideration".
When asked if he accepted that the chemicals could cause cancer, he said: "This is something we are working through... This is something the government is continuing to monitor."
Local MP Natasha Griggs said she agreed with the decision not to issue any warnings until test results are known.
"There's no point running off half-shot... This has not just happened overnight," she said.
"The good thing is these foams are not being used any more, we want to make sure the community is safe... It's very detailed testing and once that information is available, as soon as it's available the community will be informed of those results."
