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Airports describe transition to PFAS-free foam and ongoing questions about testing, disposal and unleaded avgas
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Summary
Board members and airport operators reported completion of a statewide conversion from PFAS-containing firefighting foam to fluorine-free alternatives at several airports, and discussed federal testing directives, disposal challenges and parallel concerns about the pace and testing of unleaded aviation gasoline.
Board members and airport operators described finishing the transition away from legacy PFAS-containing firefighting foams at some airports and shared practical lessons for other airports planning conversions. One board member said Denver International completed its conversion and has begun dealing with output-based testing mandated by the FAA, which raises new water-permitting and sampling questions.
Speakers warned the new fluorine-free foams behave differently in firefighting use, requiring revised techniques and more extensive testing after discharge. Division and airport representatives said disposal of collected foam and the regulatory compliance path for output-based tests are continuing implementation questions. CDPHE staff told the board the agency plans a mailer campaign to households within 2 miles of airports to encourage blood-lead testing and better data collection of potential exposures, and emphasized ongoing coordination between state public health and aviation stakeholders.
The board also heard updates on the national and state status of unleaded avgas development and litigation related to local bans and federal grant assurances. Staff referenced California legal decisions that intersect with FAA grant-assurance obligations and noted ongoing national testing and certification work (ASTM, PAFI) and university fleet operational studies. Several board members said they would share lessons learned from airports that have begun offering unleaded alternatives and suggested the division arrange peer-to-peer technical briefings for airport managers.
Why this matters
Firefighting foam replacement and the transition to unleaded avgas affect airport operations, environmental permitting and community health outreach. The board and division identified near-term needs: consistent testing protocols, disposal pathways for legacy PFAS foam, and practical guidance to airports on logistics and lease negotiations when FBOs handle fuel transitions.
Provenance: Transcript excerpts below record the conversion announcement, the FAA output-based testing concern and the CDPHE outreach summary.
