Brisbane

Various entities have provided aviation rescue and fire fighting services at Brisbane Airport since 1988. 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 Brisbane 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 at Brisbane 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. From 2009-2012, we completed site assessments of our operational sites, as well as sampling of sediment, water and marine species in Moreton Bay. This included the fire training ground, main fire station and satellite (secondary) fire station. The assessments showed there were no likely significant human health impacts resulting from continuing use of the sites by staff or visitors.

We are currently undertaking a Detailed Site investigation (DSI).

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.

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

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

Research and development

We collaborate with leading industry and research institutions to better understand PFAS and to support the development of solutions and technologies to manage it. Brisbane Airport has been the field site location for an Australian Government-supported research project, focused on the behaviour and migration patterns of PFAS. Read more about this research here.