Nantucket Airport Transitioning Away From Firefighting Foam Containing PFAS

Nantucket Memorial Airport announced Thursday morning that it will be transitioning away from using Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF), which is the firefighting foam that contains Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) that is currently used for firefighting operations. The airport will now exclusively utilize Synthetic Fluorine-Free Foam (SFFF or F3), which it says is a safer, environmentally friendly alternative that does not contain any PFAS compounds. The transition is expected to be completed in early-June of 2025.

“In recent years, the (Federal Aviation Administration) and Department of Defense (DoD) have worked to find a fluorine-free alternative foam,” the airport said in a press release. “They have examined F3 agents and developed a military specification that all products must meet to ensure that an airport’s emergency response capabilities remain robust while simultaneously protecting the environment and human health.”

AFFF has not been deployed on airport property since 2018, however, all emergency Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) trucks are still mandated by the FAA to hold approved foam onboard in the event of an emergency. Airport management said that for decades, the FAA also mandated that output foam tests occur regularly. Since 2018, and with the development of modern technology, the airport said it has been exclusively utilizing an Eco-Cart testing procedure to maintain compliance with the FAA without spraying foam.

The airport has been investigating the extent of PFAS contamination for years at abutting properties following decades of tests required by the Federal Aviation Administration in which PFAS-containing firefighting foam was dispersed in various areas. The airport has already spent millions on consultants, soil testing, water filtration systems for impacted residents, and the initial work to connect those properties to the municipal water system.

“There are currently three F3 foams listed on the DoD’s Qualified Product List (QPL),” airport management stated. “Nantucket Memorial Airport's transition plan has already commenced with the procurement of a new ARFF truck that has never interacted with AFFF or PFAS-containing substances. The truck is scheduled to arrive this week and it will utilize the new F3 foam, which the airport has already obtained. The new truck is replacing an older legacy truck, which is ready for decommissioning. The remaining two active ARFF trucks will be thoroughly drained, rinsed, flushed, and filled with the new F3 foam.”

The airport will be releasing a Request for Proposal (RFP) with the requirement that this work be completed at an off-site facility and said that the AFFF/water mixture that will be rinsed out will be properly disposed of sometime in March and April of 2025. All remaining AFFF stockpiles on airport property will be removed and disposed at an off-site facility as well while adhering to all federal, state, and local regulations governing hazardous materials and waste management.

“Nantucket Memorial Airport is a leader among airports and facilities across the country recognizing the need to move away from PFAS-containing products,” the airport concluded in its statement. “This important move is part of Nantucket Memorial Airport's ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and public health while continuing to meet the highest standards of fire and aircraft safety.”