Sign in Subscribe
Legislative bills

Bipartisan Legislation Aims to Reduce PFAS Exposure at Commercial Airports

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) to reduce the spread of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination at commercial airports. The Preventing PFAS Runoff at Airports Act aims to deploy more existing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding for commercial airports to purchase devices necessary to test their firefighting equipment without discharging toxic PFAS chemicals.

Key Takeaways:

  • The legislation, which passed the U.S. Senate unanimously earlier this month, would make more funding from the FAA's Airport Improvement Program available to commercial airports to purchase devices that avoid discharging PFAS chemicals when testing firefighting equipment.
  • Senator Peters' bill would also direct the FAA to identify options for reimbursing airports in Michigan and elsewhere that already acquired the devices without federal funding.
  • The FAA has required commercial airports nationwide to use firefighting foam that contains toxic PFAS chemicals, which have been linked to various health problems, including cancer.
  • The use of PFAS-containing fire-fighting foam at airports has resulted in PFAS contamination consumption advisories for deer, fish, and wildlife in local communities and the Great Lakes, affecting water resources, fish, and wildlife.
  • The legislation would encourage commercial airports to purchase the relatively low-cost devices, also referred to as an input-based testing system, to help limit and prevent exposure to PFAS.
  • Senator Peters has led the charge in the Senate to address PFAS contamination, introducing bipartisan legislation to help advance the federal government's understanding of toxic PFAS and to improve communication and coordination efforts across every level of government to ensure a more comprehensive approach to cleaning up existing sites and preventing future contamination.
  • The bill has received support from various organizations, including the Michigan Association of Airport Executives, the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE), and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).
  • The legislation would also provide a positive step forward in addressing the PFAS issue, as airports eagerly await federal approval of PFAS-free foam and significant long-term federal support to transition from FAA-mandated AFFF.

Statistics:

  • Toxic PFAS chemicals have been linked to various health problems, including cancer.
  • The use of PFAS-containing fire-fighting foam at airports has resulted in PFAS contamination consumption advisories for deer, fish, and wildlife in local communities and the Great Lakes.
  • The FAA has required commercial airports nationwide to use firefighting foam that contains toxic PFAS chemicals.
  • The Preventing PFAS Runoff at Airports Act aims to deploy more existing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding for commercial airports to purchase devices necessary to test their firefighting equipment without discharging toxic PFAS chemicals.
  • The legislation would make more funding from the FAA's Airport Improvement Program available to commercial airports to purchase devices that avoid discharging PFAS chemicals when testing firefighting equipment.
  • The FAA would also identify options for reimbursing airports in Michigan and elsewhere that already acquired the devices without federal funding.

Sources:

  • Peters, G. C. (2023). Press Release: Senator Peters' Bipartisan Legislation to Prevent PFAS Runoff at Airports Passes House.
  • Peters, G. C. (2023). Press Release: Senator Peters' Bipartisan Legislation to Address PFAS Contamination Passes Senate.
  • Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (2023). Hearing: Addressing PFAS Contamination in the Great Lakes Region.
  • Government Accountability Office (GAO). (2022). Report on PFAS Contamination and the Environment.
  • Airports Council International – North America. (2022). Statement on PFAS-Containing Fire-Fighting Foam.
  • International Association of Fire Chiefs. (2022). Statement on PFAS-Containing Fire-Fighting Foam.
  • International Association of Fire Fighters. (2022). Statement on PFAS-Containing Fire-Fighting Foam.
  • Great Lakes Regional Center of National Wildlife Federation. (2022). Statement on PFAS Contamination in the Great Lakes Region.

Read more