PFAS/PFOS
Avinor, following a directive from the Norwegian Environment Agency, has initiated extensive cleanup efforts to prevent PFAS compounds from spreading in nature.
PFAS are a large group of fluorinated substances. They are water, stain, and grease resistant and are used "everywhere." PFAS have been used for over 50 years in a variety of products, including food packaging, non-stick coatings in pots and pans, textile impregnation agents, firefighting foam, cleaning products, cosmetics, paint, varnish, and some types of ski wax.
There is increasing concern associated with PFAS due to their extreme persistence, toxicity, and tendency to spread in the environment and accumulate in all living organisms. Since 2001, Avinor has used PFOS-free firefighting foam and since 2012 has used firefighting foam completely without fluorine compounds. However, historical use has led to soil contamination at Avinor's airports. The pollution is primarily associated with active and closed fire training fields, as well as other areas previously used for training activities. These pollutants still contribute to some PFAS leaking into the nature surrounding the airports.
As of December 2022, a financial provision of 1,007 million kroner has been made for the cleanup work.
For facts about perfluorinated substances see www.miljøstatus.no and Folkehelseinstituttet.
For questions related to the PFOS case contact us at