PFAS at Mount Isa Airport
“We acknowledge and respect there may be community interest regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at Mount Isa Airport and remain committed to ongoing engagement with relevant stakeholders and management of PFAS at Mount Isa Airport.
PFAS have been detected at Mount Isa Airport. Potential sources are believed to primarily related the historic use of aqueous film forming foam containing PFAS by federal government agencies providing aviation firefighting services.
Until 1995, these aviation firefighting activities were managed by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). In 1995, the CAA was split into two separate government bodies (Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and Airservices Australia).
According to our current understanding, and occurring prior to our acquisition of the airport lease, Airservices Australia took control of the airport fire station and air traffic control buildings/activities from the CAA in the mid 1990s, however did not provide firefighting services. Therefore, no known use of firefighting foam containing PFAS at Mount Isa Airport has occurred since the mid 1990s.”