Alaska PFAS Information

Page updated 11/08/2024

Regulatory Health and Cleanup Levels

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) published cleanup levels for two types of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), in groundwater in November 2016. The cleanup levels are listed in 18 AAC 75 (Article 3) available at dec.alaska.gov/spar/regulations/.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established a provisional health advisory (PHA) level for PFOS and PFOA in drinking water in 2009. However, in May 2016, the EPA issued a lifetime health advisory (LHA) level of 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for the sum of the PFOS and PFOA concentrations. Note: ppt are equal to nanograms per liter (ng/L).

On August 21, 2018, DEC established guidance for the State of Alaska that groups five similar compounds into a combined PFAS action level to be compared to the EPA LHA level of 70 ppt. The DEC action level is the level above which DEC requires the provision of alternative drinking water to affected properties. 70 ppt is roughly equal to three grains of rice in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

On February 14, 2019, EPA published a PFAS action plan. This plan includes a commitment to propose a national drinking water regulatory determination for PFOS and PFOA for public comment in 2019, this is a critical step under the Safe Drinking Water Act for EPA to determine whether it will establish maximum contaminant levels. EPA also proposed to finalize toxicity assessments for five other PFAS.

On October 2, 2019, DEC updated the Technical Memorandum that references the action levels for PFAS in water and the guidance on sampling groundwater and drinking water. The update states that, “Any new testing for PFAS will report the full suite of PFAS compounds analyzed by the appropriate EPA Method.” In order to align state actions with the EPA action plan, DEC also revised its drinking water action level match the EPA LHA level of 70 ppt for PFOS and PFOA, individually or combined.

Division of Spill Prevention and Response, Contaminated Sites - PFAS Site

Alaska DEC PFAS Drinking Water Sample Results

On June 15, 2022 DOT&PF received the EPA notification on the updated drinking water health advisory for PFAS. Alaska DOT&PF supports the EPA’s efforts to address PFAS and reduce Alaskans’ exposure to these chemicals. The department will continue to work with Alaska DEC, Department of Health (DOH), and our federal partners to determine what this updated advisory means to Alaska and the next steps in protecting the health of Alaskans.

June 15, 2022 - U.S. EPA: EPA Announces New Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFAS Chemicals, $1 Billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding to Strengthen Health Protections | US EPA

On March 14, 2023 DOT&PF received the EPA notification regarding the proposed national drinking water standard for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Alaska DOT&PF supports the EPA's efforts to address PFAS and reduce Alaskans' exposure to these chemicals. The department will work with Alaska DEC, DOH, and our federal partners to determine what this update means to Alaska and the next steps in protecting the health of Alaskans. To learn more about the department's response to PFAS please visit https://dot.alaska.gov/airportwater/.

March 14, 2023 - U.S. EPA: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Proposed PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation

On April 10, 2024, DOT&PF received the EPA notification of the finalized maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFAS (https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas). DOT&PF supports the EPA's efforts to address PFAS and reduce Alaskans' exposure to these chemicals. DEC will provide DOT&PF with guidance on how to respond to the MCL change.

Additional regulatory changes are anticipated in 2024. Our website will be updated accordingly.

The Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Action Plan

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is conducting a comprehensive evaluation of  PFAS contamination at state owned properties or sites that the department is responsible for. Evaluation includes past and present Part 139 airports and formerly known Department of Defense (DoD) sites. DOT&PF has contracted with third-party environmental consultant, Shannon & Wilson, Inc. to identify and sample potentially impacted communities.

Once PFAS presence is established, DOT&PF will mobilize Shannon & Wilson, Inc. to assist with the departmental response. This will include field sampling and analysis of ground water and drinking water; implementation of a temporary water solution for impacted property owners; public and stakeholder engagement, outreach, and support; engineering and design for remediation solutions, as well as alternative permanent water supply concepts.

To date, DOT&PF has responded in 25 communities where PFAS contamination has been identified. DOT&PF recognizes the importance of immediate corrective action as the health and safety of the public is of upmost importance. In all cases, an alternate source of drinking water was immediately supplied to impacted residents. In addition to contracting with an independent environmental firm to support DOT&PF’s response across Alaska, the department has created positions to manage the response efforts related to PFAS contamination. This includes but is not limited to interdepartmental coordination and travel logistics, public involvement and outreach, stakeholder outreach, and contract management.

Additionally, DOT&PF has begun inventorying their Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) throughout the state in order to dispose of AFFF manufactured prior to 2015. The department has been exploring alternate testing mechanisms that will allow airports to meet minimum petroleum firefighting training requirements mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). DOT&PF is staying abreast of regulations requiring the FAA to produce a fluorine-free AFFF option for airports. The FAA Reauthorization Act contained language directing the FAA to review this issue and make changes to Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting foam requirements by no later than October 2021. DOT&PF will be working with a third-party contractor to provide foam transition services in 2024 and 2025.

FAA Reauthorization Act Update
Monday, Oct. 4, 2021 the FAA issued CertAlert 21-05, Part 139 Extinguishing Agent Requirements advising airport operators about changes to the military specification (MIL-PRF-24385F(SH)) for firefighting foam referenced in Chapter 6 of AC 150-5210-6D.

Oct. 4, 2021 – FAA Part 139 Extinguishing Agent Requirements

In response to CertAlert 21-05 the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) issued the following update to its members outlining the guidance in the CertAlert. The AAAE continues to encourage the FAA and DOD to identify and approve an alternative foam as soon as possible as well as provide airports with transition planning support.

Oct. 4, 2021 – AAAE: FAA Releases CertAlert on Part 139 Extinguishing Agent Requirement

DOT&PF will continue to work with the DEC, Division of Risk Management, DOH, and Shannon & Wilson, Inc. to ensure response efforts are met fully.

Reports

STATEWIDE (4)

Anchorage International Airport (2)

Bethel (3)

Cold Bay (1)

Cordova (5)

Deadhorse (3)

Dillingham (5)

Fairbanks International Airport (17)

Gustavus (12)

Homer (4)

Iliamna (2)

Ketchikan (1)

King Salmon (4)

Kodiak (2)

Kotzebue (2)

McGrath (1)

Nome (3)

Port Heiden (1)

Sand Point (1)

Sitka (1)

St Mary's (1)

St Paul (1)

Unalaska (1)

Utqiagvik (1)

Valdez (1)

Yakutat (7)

Contact

Melanie Bray
DOT&PF - Statewide Aviation
907-451-5385
melanie.bray@alaska.gov airportwater@alaska.gov

Department of Transportation & Public Facilities – PFAS Sites