Development of PFAS Source Differentiation Guidelines for Airports

Airports face increasing regulatory and technical challenges for addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) found on or near their facilities. While the source of PFAS in an area may be attributable to airport activity, including the use of aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) during aircraft rescue and firefighting activities, or from tenants storing AFFF or other PFAS-containing materials, airports may also have neighbors who use products that contain PFAS. When PFAS is found at or near an airport, it is important to identify the source and to help manage the cost and liability of possible remediation. Yet source attribution can be a complex and difficult undertaking, particularly in an airport setting. Research is needed to advance the understanding and use of PFAS source differentiation so it can be applied to airports with greater confidence. The objectives of this research are to develop: (1) a guidebook of recommended practices for determining the source(s) of PFAS detected in soil and water on or near an airport and (2) a primer for airport practitioners describing PFAS source attribution concepts and techniques in lay terms. The research and resulting recommended practices should consider (but not be limited to) the following: (1) Chemical fingerprinting; (2) Sampling protocol; (3) Laboratory data and analytical methods; (4) Site specific characteristics (e.g., geology, topography); (5) Locations and identification of known storage, use, and release of PFAS-containing materials; (6) Surrounding industries and activities involving PFAS; (7) Chemical transformation characteristics; and (8) Fate and transport.

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5022
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Proposed
• Funding: $300000
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 02-91

• 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

• Start Date: 20210515
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airports; Contaminants; Fire extinguishing agents; Foams; Guidelines
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Environment; Materials; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01748060
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 02-91
• Files: TRB, RiP
• Created Date: Aug 17 2020 3:04PM