SANFORD, Fla. – Orlando Sanford International Airport is joining the larger push against claims of toxic firefighting foam.
After lots of scrutiny over the foam's impact on the groundwater in and around Patrick Air Force Base, the airport is now suing more than a dozen companies.
Court documents give more details on the airport's claims of what these chemicals have done to airport property.
The airport also claims it poses a risk to human health and safety.
The 35-page lawsuit filed in a Seminole County court alleges that the companies manufactured, marketed and sold Aqueos Film-Forming Foam to control and extinguish liquid fires, such as jet fuel, aviation and hangar-related fires.
The Sanford Airport Authority alleges that foam contained human-made chemicals that are toxic and persistent in the environment, do not biodegrade, and move readily through the soil and ground water, even when the foam was used as directed and intended by the manufacturer.
The Airport Authority alleges there are multiple areas on the property, including structures at the Orlando Sanford International Airport, that are contaminated by these chemicals.
The suit also alleges the companies did not disclose the toxic nature and harmful effects of the chemicals used in the foam.
Two of the companies named in the lawsuit, Tyco Fire Products and Chemguard, filed a notice of removal in Seminole County court.
They intend to assert their federal "government contractor" defense in response to the airport authority's claims.
The companies argue that they should be removed from the case and adjudicated in a federal forum, because they were acting under direction of a federal officer.
The suit seeks damages for the cost of investigating as well as remediating any contamination at the airport.
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