PFAS-laden firefighting foam spills at Brunswick airport

Firefighting foam containing dangerous PFAS chemicals was accidentally discharged at the former naval air station in Brunswick on Monday morning.

The foam came from the fire suppression system at hangar 4 at Brunswick Executive Airport at around 5:15 a.m, according to an announcement from the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority. The system discharged 1,600 gallons of foam.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection and the Brunswick Fire Department were on-site addressing the situation on Monday, according to the Authority. Clean Harbors, a South Portland company that helps with hazardous material cleanups, was also assisting. Vacuum trucks, containment booms and storage tanks were there remediate the foam, the Authority said.

“We take this situation very seriously and are committed to addressing the cleanup with the utmost urgency and transparency,” said Kristine Logan, the executive director of the Authority. “Our goal is to not only clean up the affected areas but also to ensure that such incidents are handled effectively and responsibly.”

The cause of the accidental discharge is still under investigation. Maine DEP is assessing the extent of the contamination.