A bill to help reduce the spread of PFAS chemicals at airports is awaiting President Biden’s signature. The measure was introduced by Michigan Senator Gary Peters and would help commercial airports reduce the spread of the toxic “forever chemicals.”
Airports are required to test if their firefighting equipment is working, which often means releasing PFAS chemicals into the environment. The bill sets aside funding for airports to purchase devices that would allow them to test equipment without actually discharging AFFF firefighting foam.
Kevin Klein is the CEO of the Northwest Regional Airport Authority which oversees Cherry Capitol Airport in Traverse City. Klein helped develop the bill's language. He said with the testing devices, airports only need to use foam in the event of an actual fire.
“Now the Federal Aviation Administration is trying to find a new chemical, but until that time, we still have to use the current firefighting foam, which does contain PFAS," Klein said. "What we're trying to do is eliminate the need to test [using the firefighting foam].”
In 2019, all Michigan commercial airports received state grants to help fund the devices. Klein said the bill is modeled after that initiative and would encourage airports across the country to follow suit.
If enacted, the bill could reimburse Michigan airports as well.
“It's our goal to find a solution to the PFAS and AFFF issue because we are local to our communities, and there’s not an airport out there that wants to have this impact on a community," Klein said.
The measure has already passed the House and Senate. It still needs to be signed into law.
