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15,000+. That’s roughly how large the chemical class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is estimated to be. These human-made compounds are known for their mobility, persistence and harmful effects on people and ecosystems. They don’t easily break down in nature, making them difficult to detect and remove. 

In the United States,  from the Environmental Protection Agency show that military bases are the top source of PFAS pollution. But airports follow closely behind due to their historical use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) in firefighting and training.

This issue is global. In the U.K., Ministry of Defense  at Royal Air Force Benson found PFAS in groundwater at 7,700 nanograms per liter – far above England’s 100 ng/L limit for drinking water. Several other RAF sites showed similar results.

Commercial airports are now under growing scrutiny worldwide. In the U.K., the Environment Agency issued Regulation 61 notices to , requiring them to test effluent for PFAS. Australia has committed AU$130.5 million ($86M) to a  at 37 civilian airports, set to complete by June 2027. In the U.S., the California Water Board ordered 27 airports to investigate PFAS risks in 2019.

The lasting impact of firefighting foam

AFFF was highly effective at suppressing fires involving jet fuel, which led to its widespread use at fire training grounds, fire stations, aircraft hangars, runways, aprons and fueling areas. But that effectiveness came at a cost.

Colorless, odorless, highly water-soluble and chemically stable, PFAS compounds resist degradation and can go undetected for years. Once released, they migrate into soil, groundwater and stormwater systems – often spreading well beyond the original site.

That widespread mobility poses long-term risks for airport operators, tenants and surrounding landowners. As environmental standards tighten, legacy PFAS contamination can delay or block future airport projects, creating financial and reputational risks. Proactive management is key to reducing liability and protecting development opportunities.

A complex operational challenge

Large airports host many potential PFAS sources under various operational stakeholders – fuel suppliers, fire services, aircraft operators and more. That complexity makes sitewide evaluation difficult and dilutes responsibility for legacy contamination.

Key challenges include:

• Redevelopment risks: PFAS contamination discovered during construction can stall or delay projects – especially in regions with limited regulatory precedent.
• Tenant reluctance: Operators may be unwilling or unable to assess past contributions to PFAS use.
• Diffuse sources: PFAS migration often stems from multiple on-site sources, complicating efforts to apportion responsibility.
• Forensic limitations: Fingerprinting techniques used for petroleum contamination are less effective for PFAS due to chemical similarities among AFFF products and the limited ability to track transformation in the environment.

Outside pressure from regulators, media, advocacy groups and local governments also increases scrutiny and influences cleanup expectations.

A four-part framework for airports

Many airports are transitioning to fluorine-free firefighting foams and virtual training to reduce future PFAS use. Containment systems are also being installed to prevent foam runoff.

But legacy PFAS contamination remains a significant issue. To manage it effectively, airports need more than a technical fix – they need a comprehensive strategy.

һ����logo�׷��� uses a four-part investigation framework to address the complexity of PFAS remediation:

1. Standardized investigation framework: A consistent method for designing new investigations and benchmarking against third-party work ensures comparability across sites.
2. Harmonized sampling strategies: Standardized sampling methods enable meaningful comparisons of PFAS levels within and across airports.
3. Advanced data evaluation tool – PFluorensics^SM: һ����logo�׷���’ proprietary tool compares PFAS profiles, detects changes in composition and helps identify likely sources and trends.
4. Centralized PFAS database: A shared “single source of truth” supports transparency, decision-making and stakeholder coordination.

We have successfully applied these strategies to large-scale PFAS programs at more than 90 U.S. Navy installations and in defense, federal and public programs across Australia and Canada. The portfolio standardized approach is underpinned by comprehensive stakeholder engagement plans to ensure the needs of all parties are properly understood.

Finding the future flight path

Solving this chemical legacy requires a rigorous, standardized approach. Aligning sampling protocols, using advanced data tools and centralizing PFAS data can help airports benchmark contamination, identify sources and act decisively.

With these strategies, airports can protect public health and the environment while securing their path to sustainable growth.