Study of MacArthur Airport to probe extent of PFAS chemicals at site
The DEC designated Long Island MacArthur Airport a Superfund site last February after detecting “significant” chemical contamination in the groundwater and soil. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
An environmental consultant has filed plans with the state Department of Environmental Conservation to investigate the extent of PFAS chemicals in the soil and groundwater at Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma.
The investigation outlined in the recently submitted draft plan seeks to "determine the nature and extent" of PFAS contamination and "assess potential impacts to receptors, including public health, welfare, and the environment, from the release or potential release of PFAS at or from the site."
The review will also evaluate options to prevent or mitigate the potential release of contaminants into the environment.
The DEC designated the airport a Superfund site last February after detecting “significant” chemical contamination in the groundwater and soil — specifically, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, “at levels that exceed applicable standards."
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has labeled PFAS chemicals as potentially carcinogenic. The substances are known as "forever chemicals" because they don’t break down easily have been linked to immune system problems, cancers and other health impacts, according to the EPA.
In 2018, the state designated the airport a possible Superfund site over concerns that prior usage of a firefighting foam could have contaminated the drinking water supply.
The use of PFOS and PFOA at MacArthur "began in the 1970s with the military use of firefighting foam, and continued with airline use until 2000," Islip spokeswoman Caroline Smith said after the DEC designated the airport a Superfund site in 2023.
Officials from town, environmental and water quality agencies have said public water in the area is safe to drink.
The Town of Islip has signed a $2.25 million contract with consultant Arcadis Inc. for the investigation. The first phase has a cost of $1.26 million.
The DEC and the state Department of Health are expected to review the draft by mid-October, DEC spokesman John Salka said.
If the plan is approved, the town will be able to conduct the investigation and issue a follow-up report. The DEC would then hold a public hearing on the report’s findings and options for cleanup.
If the draft plan is not approved, the DEC will send a letter to the town explaining the reasons why. Islip will have time to amend its proposal.
Once the agencies approve of a “substantially complete” plan, the Town of Islip and DEC will publish fact sheets with details about the proposal.
David Nadler, a professor at New York Institute of Technology who previously worked as a director within the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, said the investigation "is still in its early stages."
"I find it interesting that PFAS was detected in stormwater and at a high concentration when compared to the drinking water levels," Nadler said of the report. "It alludes to the fact that there is PFAS on the ground surface and easily washed away."
"The pace of the project appears cautious but within expected timelines for environmental remediation projects of this scope," said Nadler, who has conducted research on ways to safely break down PFAS.
An environmental consultant has filed plans with the state Department of Environmental Conservation to investigate the extent of PFAS chemicals in the soil and groundwater at Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma.
The investigation outlined in the recently submitted draft plan seeks to "determine the nature and extent" of PFAS contamination and "assess potential impacts to receptors, including public health, welfare, and the environment, from the release or potential release of PFAS at or from the site."
The review will also evaluate options to prevent or mitigate the potential release of contaminants into the environment.
The DEC designated the airport a Superfund site last February after detecting “significant” chemical contamination in the groundwater and soil — specifically, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS, “at levels that exceed applicable standards."
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has labeled PFAS chemicals as potentially carcinogenic. The substances are known as "forever chemicals" because they don’t break down easily have been linked to immune system problems, cancers and other health impacts, according to the EPA.
In 2018, the state designated the airport a possible Superfund site over concerns that prior usage of a firefighting foam could have contaminated the drinking water supply.
The use of PFOS and PFOA at MacArthur "began in the 1970s with the military use of firefighting foam, and continued with airline use until 2000," Islip spokeswoman Caroline Smith said after the DEC designated the airport a Superfund site in 2023.
Officials from town, environmental and water quality agencies have said public water in the area is safe to drink.
The Town of Islip has signed a $2.25 million contract with consultant Arcadis Inc. for the investigation. The first phase has a cost of $1.26 million.
The DEC and the state Department of Health are expected to review the draft by mid-October, DEC spokesman John Salka said.
If the plan is approved, the town will be able to conduct the investigation and issue a follow-up report. The DEC would then hold a public hearing on the report’s findings and options for cleanup.
If the draft plan is not approved, the DEC will send a letter to the town explaining the reasons why. Islip will have time to amend its proposal.
Once the agencies approve of a “substantially complete” plan, the Town of Islip and DEC will publish fact sheets with details about the proposal.
David Nadler, a professor at New York Institute of Technology who previously worked as a director within the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, said the investigation "is still in its early stages."
"I find it interesting that PFAS was detected in stormwater and at a high concentration when compared to the drinking water levels," Nadler said of the report. "It alludes to the fact that there is PFAS on the ground surface and easily washed away."
"The pace of the project appears cautious but within expected timelines for environmental remediation projects of this scope," said Nadler, who has conducted research on ways to safely break down PFAS.
Brianne Ledda covers the Town of Islip for Newsday. She previously covered Southold and Greenport for The Suffolk Times and is a graduate of Stony Brook University.
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