Cairns

Various entities have provided aviation rescue and fire fighting services at Cairns Airport since 1950. 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 Cairns 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 Cairns 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 a Preliminary Site Investigation (PSI) in 2018 that detected PFAS in soil, surface water and sediment near where aviation rescue and fire fighting activities were carried out at the airport. PFAS detections in groundwater were above the adopted human health criteria for drinking water and above the adopted ecological criteria, with the highest concentrations found near the fire station, workshop and fire training ground. One surface water sample exceeded the adopted ecological criteria. Soil and sediment samples were below the adopted ecological criteria.

Following the PSI, we undertook additional targeted sampling in 2019, which included targeted water quality and ecological sampling on and off-airport, to determine any migration. PFAS detections in fish from the Barron River, surface water and sediment were below adopted human health criteria, suggesting no adverse risks to human health from the consumption of fish from the river or from recreational use adjacent to the airport.

The targeted sampling detected PFAS concentrations exceeding the adopted human health criteria in groundwater, surface water and sediment. The highest results were found at the fire station, workshop and fire training ground. The results indicated any PFAS soil and groundwater impacts were likely to be localised on-airport.

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

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 Cairns Airport.

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