PFAS Fallout: Airports Facing Hefty Cleanup Bills
When it comes to chemical fallout, airports across the United States are no longer flying under the radar. The buzzword causing quite a stir these days is PFAS—those persistent chemicals that have a knack for hanging around way longer than anybody wants. These toxic contenders have airports in their crosshairs due to Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), a fire-suppressing concoction used since the ‘70s. The Environmental Protection Agency's starting to crack the whip on PFAS, and now airport operators are losing sleep over potential contamination costs, which are shaping up to be wallet-busters.
Airports Lawyer Up
With lawsuits flying off the shelves, national plaintiffs' firm Milberg PLLC is dialed in, spearheading litigation for a slew of these airports. At a recent ACI-NA Legal Affairs Conference out in Coronado, California, airport legal pros were wringing their hands, eager to dive into the nitty-gritty of liability and recovery scenarios. Vicki Maniatis from Milberg cuts to the chase, saying the issue isn't “if” there's PFAS muck to deal with—it’s “who's signing the check.” Not funeral music you'd enjoy hearing if you're an airport finance director.
“The question now isn't whether they have PFAS contamination. It's who is going to pay for it.” — Vicki Maniatis
The Cost of Sitting on the Sidelines
Operators mulling over their next moves should know they're not exactly sitting on a gold mine. The costs truly multiply, from firefighter retraining to swapping out dated equipment, and even the atmospheric task of remediating environmental damage. While in Coronado, Milberg’s associate attorney, Tristan Duarte, hammered home the reality: Delays only chew up more budget without reclaiming these expenses. You snooze, you lose.
Litigation seems the next best friend to those facing these uphill battles. And with settlements against PFAS-foam manufacturers like 3M ($10.3 billion), DuPont ($1.185 billion), Tyco ($750 million), and BASF ($316.5 million) already stacking up, it’s clear the litigation train is speeding along the tracks. Twelve major manufacturers stand under scrutiny, but only four have opened up their coffers so far. This fallout isn't exclusive to airports either; public water systems have already seen some dollar bills thanks to settlements.
Milberg Takes the Litigation Reins
If you've been wondering where Milberg fits into this tangled web, the firm is making strides by filing complaints on behalf of multiple Part 139 airports in the AFFF Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2873) at the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. They're ready to lock horns with manufacturers, claiming their clients deserve some justice—and preferably some sizable fund transfers.
Acting Now, Saving Later
Milberg's urging the airports yet to shore up their defenses to take a hard look at their situations. As more operators measure contamination levels, those delays could shave more off potential payouts and add to long-term costs. It’s clear that keeping an eye on the clock could mean the difference between a fiscal nightmare and a bout of hard-earned compensation.
Milberg's not new to the game, having represented big players in municipalities and water utility cases, with a track record of netting $50 billion in wins across its environmental and mass tort cases. Betting they continue to reel in some successful outcomes isn’t just a gamble with friendly odds; it’s a measure of survival through a proactive legal strategy.
All said, for airport operators staring down financial turbulence over PFAS, doubling down on legal routes might just be the lifeboat that keeps their budgets—if not their consciences—afloat.
