Adelaide

Various entities have provided aviation rescue and fire fighting services at Adelaide Airport since the 1950s. 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 Adelaide Airport since 2010.

Site investigations

As part of Airservices' National PFAS Management Program, we have undertaken site investigations to determine the nature and extent of PFAS at Adelaide 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.

We completed preliminary sampling and a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) in 2018, and a subsequent off-airport investigation in 2019. A Detailed Site Investigation (DSI) was completed in 2026 which comprehensively encompasses airport land and off-airport land associated with Airservices activities, including areas downstream of the airport.

These studies and subsequent Human Health and Ecological Risk Assessment (HHERA) were to understand the extent of PFAS associated with Airservices’ ARFFS operations since 1995 both on- and off-Airport and to identify possible risks to people and environment.

The site investigations found PFAS on airport near where aviation rescue and fire fighting activities were carried out.

You can download a summary of the reports in our fact sheet. Download the fact sheet here.

You can also download the DSI report here and download the HHERA here.

Note that the DSI report and appendices have been provided as a series of files due to the size of the whole report. This is to ensure the whole report is more accessible to download.

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.

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

The site investigations have generated sufficient data and understanding of PFAS in the environment associated with ARFF activities that remedial management activities are possible. Airservices is currently seeking the services of a remediation consultant to develop options for consideration by Airservices and Adelaide Airport.

Research and development

We collaborate with leading industry and research institutions to better understand PFAS and support the development of solutions and technologies to manage PFAS. Adelaide Airport has been the field site location for a groundwater remediation trial. Read more about this trial here.