In 2009, SWAPE presented a conference paper on the potential for aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) use at airports to cause drinking water impacts and human health issues nationwide (see Conference Paper presented at the 7th International Conference on Pharmaceuticals and Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals).  Now more than twelve years later, investigations at hundreds of military and civilian airports have revealed soil, groundwater, sediment, and surface water impacts from per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).  Furthermore, the scope and extent of PFAS investigations at airports and nearby water resources is far from complete.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has not yet completed preliminary assessments and investigations at all its suspected AFFF-release sites, which are comprised largely of military airports.  In June 2021, a Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report indicated DoD was “… early in the environmental restoration process at or near the 687 installations with a known or suspected release of certain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)…” [1].  As of the beginning of fiscal year 2021, DoD estimated PFAS costs to exceed $3 billion and it was reported that these costs would likely increase. The fiscal 2022 National Defense Authorization Act required the DoD to complete PFAS testing at all its bases as well as National Guard facilities by the end of 2023 [2].  However, many of DoDs AFFF-impacted installations have not been fully characterized and additional site investigations were recommended by investigators.

PFAS investigations at civilian airports are much less common than the efforts expended at military installations. Most regional and international airports in the States were required to store, maintain, and use AFFF in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements.  Historical training and responses to fire/crash incidents at civilian airports by Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) personnel also releases AFFF containing PFAS for many years to decades.  The costs associated with cleanup of PFAS releases at civilian airports is unknown.

[1] Report to Congressional Committees - FIREFIGHTING FOAM CHEMICALS - DOD Is Investigating PFAS and Responding to Contamination, but Should Report More Cost Information.  United States Government Accountability Office. June 2021. 

[2] After Years of Delays, Congress Prepares 2-Year Deadline for Pentagon to Finish Testing for ‘Forever Chemicals’ -  Military News.  By Patricia Kime, Military.com.  December 9, 2021.