Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
Investigation and Remediation Support
Services Contract
Megan King, Aviation Environment & Sustainability
Sarah Cox, Aviation Environment & Sustainability
Agenda Item: 10a_supp
Date: March 8, 2022
Today’s Request
• Requesting Commission authorization for the Executive
Director to advertise and award a professional services
contract to address Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
on Port properties and facilities.
2
What are PFAS?
• PFAS are man-made – “forever chemicals”
– Break down slowly and can build up in people and the environment
• Developed in the 1940’s, still in use today
– Disposable food packaging, stain and fire-resistant coatings (clothes, carpet, furniture)
– Cosmetics, shampoo, deodorant
– Fire fighting foam
• Exposure to PFAS
– Working with or using PFAS-containing products
– Eating/drinking contaminated water and food
• Health Risks
– Increased risk of some cancers (including prostate, kidney, testicular)
– Suppressed immune system, hormone disruption
– Reproductive effects, developmental effects in children
3
Fire Fighting Foam at SEA
• Required for Federal Aviation Administration airport
certification
• Currently present in 6 areas:
– Fire Department (crash trucks)
– Delta, Alaska, and PACCAR hangars (fire suppression systems)
– Rental Car Facility (fire suppression system)
– Fuel Farm (fire suppression system)
4
Proactive Actions Conducted to Date
• Taking proactive approach to prepare for foam replacement,
and to determine environmental conditions
– Eliminated foam use for training/equipment check requirements
– Transitioned fire engines (not regulated by the FAA) to PFAS-free foam
– Participate in environmental and fire response advisory groups at state and
national level
– Preliminary data collection ahead of regulatory requirements
• Actions conducted to confirm no known offsite risks
– Foam inventory assessment
– Analysis of past foam uses and releases
– Preliminary soil and groundwater data collection at select locations
5
Proposed Contract Scope
• Consulting support to Port staff for:
– Environmental Investigation and Remediation: what do we have, how much and where, what
actions are required, planning, implementation and monitoring of action
– Strategic Planning: Agency coordination, foam replacement planning
– Alternatives Assessments for Cleanup and Foam Replacement: available options, associated
costs and risks
– Communications/Coordination: materials development for internal and external briefings with
audience-appropriate information
– Certified Industrial Hygiene: assessing Best Management Practices and potential employee
exposure
6
Critical Near-term Regulatory Drivers
• State restrictions on PFAS in products
• FAA approval of PFAS-free foams
– Triggers our ability to transition to a PFAS-free foam
• State development of soil and groundwater cleanup standards
– Kicks off the State cleanup process
7
Ecology Diagram of the State Cleanup Process
8
Ecology negotiation and approval is required at each phase prior to progressing to the next step
We Are
Here
Next Steps
• Requesting Commission authorization for the Executive Director to
advertise and award a professional services contract to support PFAS
work
• Contract procurement
– Initial contract period of 5 years, with an anticipated 5-year option to extend
– Contracting authority up to $10M
– Scope authorized in phases, by service directives
– Advertise RFP March 10, 2022
– Award (single contract) by July 2022
• Ecology cleanup process initiated (~2022-2023)
• Initiate foam replacement (~2023-2024)
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QUESTIONS / DISCUSSION
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