Information and Background:

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) State Superfund Site Classification Notice dated February 2023 designated areas of MacArthur Airport as an Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Site. This designation stems from the classification of chemical compounds Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) and Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) as hazardous substances under New York law. In 2016, the Federal Health Advisory (HAL) Drinking Water Guidance Levels were reduced to 70 Parts Per Trillion (PPT) for PFOS and PFOA and since that time, New York has enacted drinking water standards of 10 ppt for both chemicals.

These long-lasting compounds are used in many household products (i.e. toys, teflon cooking utensils, stain resistant items, rain gear, degreasers and pizza boxes) as well as products used in industry and emergency services. At MacArthur Airport, prior to 2000, PFAS and PFOA were contained in Aqueous Film Firefighting Foam (AFFF) used for onsite fire training, fire suppression and emergency response. Under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, airports are required to foam test their emergency vehicles quarterly. In 2019 the airport acquired new fire trucks that no longer require periodic foam testing.

Community Meeting Slides:

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