The Department of Defence has sent letters to Bullsbrook residents, advising that bores are being tested for a toxic chemical used during exercises at Pearce RAAF Base.

The chemicals, PFOS and PFOA, found in fire fighting foam, have already been detected at sites close to military bases in Victoria and Queensland, and most recently at Williamtown RAAF Base, near Newcastle in New South Wales

Investigations are continuing into whether 15 other sites around the country, including the Pearce airbase, may be contaminated.

The National Toxic Network’s Dr Mariann Lloyd-Smith has told Gary Adshead, residents near contaminated sites have been warned not to eat fresh eggs or homegrown vegetables, amid fears the chemicals have leached into bore water.