ARFF Training Areas Contamination, Fairbanks International Airport, Transportation & Public Facilities, State of Alaska

Fairbanks Airport ARFF Training Areas Contamination

Page updated 06/03/2024 Go back to PFAS Home Page

Above: FAI WELL SEARCH MAP April 2024
(click image for larger view)

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Reports

Background

Fairbanks International Airport (FAI) was alerted in late October 2017 to concentrations of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in the groundwater at the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) Training Areas. The PFAS discovered in the groundwater at the ARFF Training Areas were in concentrations higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) health advisory levels. FAI is working with an environmental consulting firm, Shannon & Wilson, Inc., and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to identify and sample private water wells west of the airport beginning Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. On Aug. 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 lifetime health advisory level of 70 parts per trillion (ppt). The EPA lifetime health advisory level included just two compounds, PFOS and PFOA. The EPA released new guidance April 24th 2024, lowering the maximum contaminant level(MCL) for PFOA and PFOA in drinking water down to 4 parts per trillion, as well establishing MCLs for PFHxs, PFNA and HFPO-DA at 10 parts per trillion.

FAI's priority has been to identify and provide safe drinking water to impacted properties. As of July 22, 2020 FAI has sampled 194 wells with 106 wells above the DEC Action Level. FAI is providing alternative drinking water to homes with PFAS levels over 65 ppt that haven't been connected to a municipal water source. As of May 2024, FAI has connected 98 properties to College Utilities, In addition to service connections, as of summer 2020 FAI has completed the closure of the Fire Training Pit. FAI has also participated in two pilot studies, the first known as Plumestop is intended to contain the migration of PFAS contamination, the second project was a collaborative effort between several contractors and government agencies designed to remove and destroy PFAS molecules with contaminated water and soil.

In order to track PFAS movement in groundwater, DEC requires continued monitoring of wells. FAI has installed a series of groundwater monitoring wells throughout the impacted area to compile data and track characteristics of the plume. The frequency of this monitoring will be conducted annually and in accordance with DEC guidance.

Furthermore, FAI is in the process of converting its firefighting vehicles from PFAS containing aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) to newly FAA approved PFAS free alternative.

PFAS Fact Sheets

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Related Reports

All reports are available at Alaska PFAS Information

Contacts

For questions about testing & study:

Shannon & Wilson, Inc.
Ashley Jaramillo, Project Manager
907-479-0600
ashley.jaramillo@shanwil.com

For regulatory questions:

Alaska Department of Environmental Conservations,
Contaminated Site Program
Robert Burgess, Environmental Program Specialist III
907-451-2153
robert.burgess@alaska.gov
Division of Spill Prevention and Response website:
dec.alaska.gov/spar/csp/sites/fairbanks-international-airport-pfas

For questions about PFAS health effects:

Alaska Department of Health
Allison Natcher, Env. Public Health Program Manager
907-269-8054
allison.natcher@alaska.gov

Department of Health PFAS Website:
https://health.alaska.gov/dph/Epi/eph/Pages/PFAS.aspx

For questions about ARFF Training Area and all other inquiries:

Melanie Bray, Statewide Aviation
907-451-5385
melanie.bray@alaska.gov

Angie Spear, Airport Manager
907-474-2529
airportwater@alaska.gov

Jake Matter, Environmental Manager
907-474-2598
jake.matter@alaska.gov