Guidebook for PFAS Management at Airports

An unknown yet potentially significant number of airports have site soils, groundwater, and/or wastewater that contain one or more per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). PFAS is used in many products, one of which is fire-suppressing aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) that commercial airports are required to use by the Federal Aviation Administration. While their unique chemical properties offer enhanced fire suppression capability, there is growing attention to their release into the environment. Emerging science, increased regulatory attention, and heightened community focus are elevating PFAS issues at airports. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently issued recommendations and an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking related to PFAS, and many states are similarly moving to PFAS regulation. As greater attention is paid to the issue, airports are faced with a growing need to address PFAS legacy environmental impacts and prevent future PFAS problems. Research is needed to develop a resource for airports to help them understand the issues associated with PFAS and manage PFAS at their facility in an evolving regulatory environment. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research is to develop a guidebook to help airports of various levels of activity, resources, and subject matter expertise develop a plan to manage PFAS at their facilities. At a minimum, the guidebook should include sections targeted to planning and environmental practitioners, ARFF personnel, and senior management, and should help airports prepare a plan tailored to their unique situation.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5024
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Research complete.  Results published as ACRP Research Report 262.

Language

• English

Project

• Funding: $350000
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 02-93

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Airport Cooperative Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC    20001

  Federal Aviation Administration

  800 Independence Avenue, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20591
• Project Managers:

  Navarrete, Joseph

• Performing Organizations:

  RS&H, Incorporated

  ,   United States 
• Principal Investigators:

  Lengel, John

• Start Date: 20210604
• Expected Completion Date: 20231105
• Actual Completion Date: 20231105

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airports; Compliance; Environmental impacts; Fire extinguishing agents; Groundwater; Guidelines; Handbooks; Risk management; Waste disposal; Wastewater
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Environment; Law; Materials; Planning and Forecasting; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01748063
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 02-93
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Aug 17 2020 4:42PM