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Gogebic County Airport and the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department held an update on testing for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS. The group of chemicals is found in a range of products, including non-stick cookware and some apparel. Its most prolific usage is in firefighting foam. The Federal Aviation Authority used to mandate regular testing of equipment where the foam was discharged, proving that the airport was getting the mix correct to safely put out a fire should such an incident occur. Then the world changed and it became clear that PFAS exposure had significant consequences for people.
Houghton County Memorial Airport Manager Dennis Hext says PFAS testing is coming to the Copper Country later this spring. He doesn’t have predictions on what the outcome will be.
Hext says federal authorities are still trying to figure out a new chemical compound that can replace the firefighting foam. For now, testing of the equipment has been modified to reduce environmental exposure.
Testing at Gogebic is being done in two phases. The first involves gathering samples from the airport itself. Phase Two measures levels at nearby groundwater wells.
