PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) chemicals have been attracting attention as their health and environmental risks are becoming better known. To prevent and clean up PFAS discharges, regulatory agencies have been instituting policies that prioritize PFAS mitigation and require accountability from facilities—including airports—that use the chemicals. But removing PFAS foams from airports and monitoring for contamination are logistically and financially difficult.
To address these challenges, a forum held on April 5 in Rochester, Minnesota, gathered environmental experts, state and federal regulatory officials, and airport managers to discuss how best to transition away from PFAS. A summary report of that event—PFAS Forum: Cleanup and Upcoming Regulations (PDF)—gives an overview of the chemicals and the risks they pose, discusses potential FAA action, presents case studies of airport communities dealing with cleanup and mitigation, and provides links to further information.
