University of Florida (UF) researchers will update attendees on their initial findings associated with recycling PFAS-containing millings during a workshop on Jan. 28 as part of the NAPA 2026 Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The research, sponsored under FAA’s APTP Program, is an important first step in understanding the long-term safety and viability of recycling such pavement materials.
“We’ll be submitting our initial findings very shortly to a peer-reviewed journal. Findings indicate that PFAS chemistries found in pavements exposed to firefighting foam can be well encapsulated when recycled in concrete and asphalt pavements; future research will investigate pavement optimization to further reduce PFAS leaching,” said Timothy Townsend, who leads UF’s Sustainable Materials Management Research Laboratory and is the principal investigator for the research.
“Because we know that asphalt pavement is waterproof and inert, we are encouraged that simple pavement recycling efforts can provide environmental protection from impacts associated with these forever chemicals,” said NAPA Vice President for Environment, Health, & Safety Howard Marks. “We look forward to learning more about UF’s research during NAPA’s Annual Meeting and continue to share with EPA and Congress that such recycling efforts are instrumental in ensuring environmental protection.”
Learn about the outcomes of the UF study and hear how NAPA is assisting the industry in managing the environmental and regulatory challenges surrounding PFAS.
NAPA facilitated an FAA research grant award to the University of Florida to investigate whether recycling PFAS-containing pavements is protective of the environment – this workshop focuses on those critical research findings. Background: PFAS (‘forever chemicals’) are found just about everywhere and in everything. Their presence in pavements – especially on airfields due to firefighting foams – carries high regulatory scrutiny and potential Superfund liability. To assist the industry in understanding and minimizing these liabilities, NAPA has engaged with EPA and FAA and actively promotes legislation to protect ‘passive receivers’ of these materials.
