The California state fire marshal issued a memo earlier this week emphasizing the deadline has passed for the elimination of PFAS chemicals in Class B firefighting foam at all Part 139 airports in the state.
Airports had been granted a one-year moratorium on the phase-out—which ended last week—to allow for the transition to fluorine (F3) foams under state legislation SB-1044 “Firefighting equipment and foam: PFAS chemicals” that was approved in 2020.
In use since the 1950s in a wide range of applications—ranging from nonstick cookware and stain-resistant fabrics to firefighting foam—the slowly degrading chemical compounds can cause environmental contamination, leading to accumulations in the food chain and causing health risks in humans. In certain areas, repeated fire training exercises at airports over the decades have caused the chemicals to seep into groundwater, requiring remediation to protect the water supplies of surrounding communities.
Penalties for violation of the PFAS ban include a fine of up to $5,000 for a first offense and up to $10,000 per subsequent violation.