Sydney

Various entities have provided aviation rescue and fire fighting services at Sydney Airport since 1947. Airservices has provided these services at the airport since 1995.

PFAS and fire fighting foam

PFAS stands for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, which are manufactured chemicals used in products that resist heat, oil, stains and water. They have been widely used since the 1950s in common household products, as well as commercial industrial applications such as fire fighting foams.

When Airservices became aware of the potential environmental impacts of PFAS in the early 2000s, we transitioned away from their use. We have used PFAS-free foam at Sydney Airport since 2010.

Site investigations

As part of Airservices' National PFAS Management Program, we are undertaking site investigations to determine the nature and extent of PFAS, in relation to Airservices leased sites, at Sydney Airport. Site investigations have included sampling of soil, groundwater and surface water, using adopted criteria for ecological and human health to assess the levels of PFAS.

In recent years, testing conducted has included a Targeted Site Investigation, the report for which was finalised in 2023. This testing confirmed the presence of PFAS in soil, groundwater, and surface water at and adjacent to Airservices lease areas and in areas off-airport.

Data from the Targeted Site Investigation was used to develop an updated Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment (HHERA). The HHERA assessed risks both on- and off-airport. The report concluded that human health risks both on- and off-airport are low, subject to the NSW Government fishing restrictions and precautionary advice, in relation to the presence of pollutants from multiple sources in Botany Bay being followed. The NSW Government information is available at https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/-/media/epa/corporate-site/resources/pfas/botany-bay-pfas-factsheet.pdf,

We are currently undertaking a Detailed Site investigation (DSI), and this is expected to be completed in 2025.

Site management and remediation

We manage legacy PFAS through our National PFAS Management Program to ensure the safety of our people and the communities and environment in which we operate.

At Sydney Airport, we applied a concrete sealing treatment to the washdown bay at the main fire station to reduce leaching of PFAS from the concrete surfaces.

The information obtained from the DSI will inform next steps in the management or remediation of our sites at Sydney Airport.

We collaborate with relevant Australian and State Government environmental and health regulators and Sydney Airport as part of an evidence-led approach to the responsible management of PFAS.