Launceston Airport has legacy per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. These chemicals were historically used by Airservices Australia in firefighting foams known as Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF), which was applied during emergency responses and training exercises involving fuel fires. Usage of AFFF ended at Launceston Airport in 2010.
Launceston Airport is actively working with government agencies and Airservices Australia to better understand the extent of PFAS contamination and to identify opportunities for remediation, while implementing best-practice management strategies.
What are PFAS?
PFAS are synthetic chemicals that persist in the environment and can accumulate over time. Their stable properties made them ideal for use in heat- and water-resistant products, but these same properties have led to widespread environmental contamination. PFAS are commonly found globally in soil, surface water, and groundwater due to their resistance to breakdown.
PFAS Management Plans are currently under development by DITRDCSA to better manage PFAS across Australia, including Launceston Airport.
These include:
- Safely reusing PFAS-impacted soil within project areas as fill material, supported by appropriate controls to ensure it remains in place.
- Preventing PFAS from leaving airport boundaries by diverting runoff from high-impacted areas and improving stormwater and sediment controls
- Remediating high-impact areas if / when possible.
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