Airports

Why is PFAS used at airports?

For decades, Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF) containing PFAS have been used extensively at airports throughout the world to protect the safety of passengers, crew, and others. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that commercial airports train with, calibrate equipment with, and use the best performing AFFF fire suppression systems. AFFF is required to be used at airports and must be certified to meet strict performance specifications, including the U.S. Department of Defense Military Specifications.

Why is AFFF a problem for airports?

PFAS can travel long distances by moving through the soil, seeping into groundwater, or being carried through the air. AFFF is released to the environment under various scenarios. At airports, AFFF is deployed intentionally for either training, testing, operational requirements, or emergency response. It may also be accidentally released during delivery, transfer, and storage.

The groundwater, which has been contaminated by AFFF-containing PFAS, can reach sensitive receptors by being extracted by drinking water wells, or by recharging surface water features, such as rivers or creeks. In both instances, PFAS become part of the food chain by being ingested by humans and wildlife.

What are the current regulations for airport use of AFFF?

The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (HR 302) directs the FAA to change its requirement that airports use PFAS-containing foams. Looking forward, bipartisan support in Congress is directing the Department of Defense to change the military standard (MILSPEC) so that it no longer requires PFAS in AFFF and military bases can switch to safer alternative foams.

On January 1, 2022, The State of California banned the manufacture, sale, and use of firefighting foams that contain PFAS. In addition to California, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin have either imposed a ban or are in the process of banning PFAS in firefighting foam.