PFAS Cost Recovery for Part 139 Airports

Holding AFFF manufacturers accountable for the multi-million dollar cost of PFAS remediation and system transitions at Part 139 airports nationwide

The Mandate: Safety at a Toxic Cost

For decades, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) required all Part 139 airports to use, store, and spray Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) for firefighting and training. While AFFF was the industry standard for fuel fires, it contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—toxic "forever chemicals" that do not break down in soil or groundwater.
  • Department of Defense (DoD): Mandated the complete phase-out of AFFF containing PFAS by October 1, 2024
  • EPA Standards: Set enforceable drinking water limits as low as 4 ppt for certain PFAS chemicals
  • CERCLA Designation: PFAS are now designated as "hazardous substances," meaning the EPA can now order mandatory investigations and cleanups
The Reality for Airports: Because this use was federally mandated, approximately 520 airports in the U.S. are now—virtually every Part 139 facility—presumed to be contaminated with PFAS.

Why Action is Required Now

Federal agencies have drastically shifted their stance, creating an immediate need for airport remediation and transition:

The Multi-Million Dollar Financial Burden

The transition to PFAS-free systems is a substantial proposition that can detract from other critical investments. Airports are currently facing massive costs through no fault of their own, including:
Cost Category
Required Actions
Infrastructure
Replacing or retrofitting firefighting and containment systems
Environmental
Remediating contaminated soil and groundwater
Operational
Retraining personnel and safely disposing of existing AFFF stock
Compliance
Ongoing environmental testing and documentation.

Our No-Risk Commitment

CONTaCT US
  • 1/3 Contingency Basis: Our legal services are provided on a contingency fee structure—we only get paid if you recover funds
  • No Upfront Costs: We advance the full cost of initial PFAS testing by a certified laboratory at your facility at our expense
  • Litigation Management: We handle all stages of the filing and recovery process within the national MDL
We provide a simplified, no-risk path for airports to pursue reimbursement for compliance and remediation expenses. Early engagement is critical to positioning your facility for maximum recovery.

Holding Manufacturers Accountable

Evidence shows that the manufacturers of AFFF—including 3M, DuPont, BASF, and Tyco—misrepresented the safety of these products while profiting from their widespread use.
Bartlett Law Offices seeks to recover these costs through the ongoing AFFF Multidistrict Litigation (MDL No. 2873). This is the same legal framework that has already secured over $14 billion in settlements for contaminated public water systems.

Why Choose Us?

We offer a national authority in environmental law combined with deep scientific expertise.
Nationally recognized legal authority with a B.A. in Hydrogeology and former NSF Research Fellow; dual-boarded NBTA certified trial attorney with over 100 jury verdicts
Expert in national mass torts and corporate defendant litigation; secured a landmark $16 million verdict in nursing home neglect
Defended over 100 class actions; currently represents 60 public water systems in the PFAS drinking water settlement

Kenneth Bartlett, Esq.

Trial Counsel

David Grossman, Esq.

Trial Counsel

Charles Platt, Esq.

Senior Strategic Advisor

Former Branch Chief at CT Department of Public Health; initiated CT’s PFAS programs and managed $400 million in federal infrastructure funding

Lori J. Mathieu

Public Health & Regulatory Expert