Orange airport
Orange City Council have investigated potential per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination stemming from the historic use of fire-fighting foams at Orange airport.
Investigations have detected low concentrations of PFAS in some areas both on- and off-site. The detection of PFAS is not unexpected given the potential historic use of PFAS-containing fire-fighting foams at the site. PFAS has also been used in many domestic and industrial products and background levels may be present from these other sources.
Finding PFAS in the environment does not mean there is a human health risk. It is important to assess if there are exposure pathways through which people might ingest PFAS, such as drinking contaminated groundwater or consuming food products watered with contaminated groundwater. A risk assessment undertaken for the site concluded that residents surrounding the airport and in the broader area do not need to take any additional precautions to limit their exposure to PFAS stemming from the airport.
As a precaution, Orange City Council will voluntarily conduct ongoing monitoring over a set period to ensure concentrations of PFAS remain stable.
PFAS investigations at Orange Airport have now concluded.