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 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.

Following an initial desktop assessment, we completed a site investigation for Sydney Airport in 2011, which included the two fire stations and both the current and former fire training grounds. Testing confirmed the presence of PFAS in soil and groundwater. We completed additional on-airport targeted sampling in 2017 and 2020 to gain a better understanding of PFAS impacts on and off our lease areas.

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.