Navigating the PFAS landscape and successfully transitioning away from aqueous film-forming foams

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic compounds that are ubiquitous in many consumer and industrial products, including certain fire-fighting foams such as aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) until 2024 for incident response and readiness. Recent regulatory changes, public health concerns and liability implications are likely to result in the discontinuation in the supply of AFFF; use of AFFF may also no longer be a tenable option for many airports based on its potential impact on public health via groundwater and public drinking water supplies. Transitioning from AFFF to a fluorine-free (F3) product involves assessment of liability, planning capital acquisitions and implementing the change successfully across airport lines of business. This paper specifically explores the successful PFAS management and transition strategy at Nantucket Memorial Airport.