2018: Orange Airport (NSW) – PFAS

Orange Airport

136 Aerodrome Road

https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/contaminated-land/pfas-investigation-program/pfas-investigation-sites/Orange-Airport

Orange City Council is investigating potential per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination at Orange Regional Airport.

Historic information suggested that no PFAS firefighting foams had been used at Orange Regional Airport. PFAS has also been used in many domestic and industrial products and background levels may be present from these sources.

As a precaution, Orange City Council conducted targeted surface water and soil sampling at the airport to identify whether PFAS compounds were present onsite. PFAS were detected in both surface water and soil along a drainage channel at the airport. The presence of PFAS in the environment does not necessarily mean there is a human health risk.

Orange City Council is conducting further testing to determine whether there are any potential impacts.

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) will continue to work collaboratively with Orange City Council on this investigation, and will keep the community informed of any developments.