The same toxic remnants of the firefighting foam that contaminated parts of the Oakey town's water supply are present at Brisbane Airport, Airservices Australia has confirmed.
Scientists have found perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), which were present in firefighting products throughout the world from the 1970s to the mid-2000s, are highly persistent in the environment.
While studies show almost everyone has PFCs in their blood, health authorities say the threat posed to humans are unknown.
The chemicals are no longer used at Brisbane Airport, but have been in the past by both Airservices Australia (ASA) and its predecessors.
A national, ongoing program is underway to manage the risks from the historical use of the foams.
"This has included site assessments at a range of airports, including Brisbane Airport, since 2008," an ASA spokeswoman said.
The results, which confirmed the presence of chemicals, have been reported to relevant authorities since 2008 and other "detailed site assessments" were undertaken at Brisbane Airport between 2009 and 2012.
"Our preliminary studies indicate that no drinking water sources have been affected," the spokeswoman said.
"Due to their widespread use and persistent nature, this is a national issue with a number of other airport users as well as industrial uses throughout the country."
A spokeswoman for the Brisbane Airport Corporation said it was aware of the contamination and urged ASA and the Commonwealth to remediate the problem.
The Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection has also been in contact with ASA.
"The Queensland Government will continue to liaise with agencies involved in the investigation to ensure the extent of PFC contamination at Brisbane Airport is determined in a timely way, and so that local residents can be informed," a spokeswoman for the department said.
Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles also said the community should be kept up to date about the presence of the chemicals.
"My department has made it clear to Airservices Australia that the Queensland government expects to be kept informed of any key developments," he said.
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