Alaska Army National Guard Aviation Facility experiences PFAS leak

An unexpected release of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) containing components of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) affected the Alaska Army National Guard Aviation Facility in Bethel June 25.

According to a press release, the release in and around the facility was caused by a fire suppression system malfunction that was subsequently contained and cleaned, and any risk to the local population was determined to be “extremely low.”

An estimated ten gallons of AFFF leaked inside the facility’s boiler room, hangar bay floor and onto a small area along the outside of the building. Staff quickly reported the incident and worked to contain the substance and conduct an initial clean up using spill response supplies and suitable personal protective equipment.

The Alaska National Guard environmental team contacted the Alaska Division of Environmental Conservation to submit a spill report and discuss clean up procedures. AKARNG also sent an additional pallet of spill response supplies and PPE for any subsequent clean up.

According to the press release, a septic pumping truck from the City of Bethel Public Works Department emptied the building’s blackwater holding tank the following morning and during the process, the driver noticed foam coming out of the truck, indicating that a portion of the AFFF release had drained into the building’s blackwater system.

The septic truck was emptied and thoroughly rinsed three times at the Guard facility and returned to service under ADEC guidance, and the contaminated rinse water is being stored on site in a decommissioned fuel tank for further disposition.

The City of Bethel was instructed by ADEC to remove the contaminated pump truck from service immediately until it can be tested free of PFAS.

The AKARNG environment team is in the process of hiring a PFAS-trained contractor to conduct sample testing to accurately assess the level of any residual contaminants, and they will continue monitoring the site for any future impacts.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com