PFAS have been widely used across the globe for decades. These chemicals are found in an array of consumer products. Common household products that contain these chemicals are non-stick cookware and food packaging, fabrics and carpets, and commercial cleaning products.
These chemicals, however, have been making headlines lately due to their presence in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a firefighting foam. In AFFF, these chemicals act as surfactants that disperse the foam and extinguish the fire. PFAS in AFFF has been causing quite a stir because they are known to harm human health.
All that being said, we’ll discuss in detail why PFAS in AFFF is a matter of concern.
Understanding PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are a large, complex group of man-made chemicals that are used in an array of consumer products. Even drinking water isn’t spared from PFAS. Their resistance to water, grease, stains, oil, and heat has contributed to their popularity.
PFAS are ubiquitous, meaning they are present everywhere. Their ubiquity is concerning, but what’s more worrying is that they are persistent. These chemicals don’t degrade or only partially and remain in the environment for hundreds or thousands of years. Due to their indestructible nature, these synthetic chemicals are also recognized as “forever chemicals.”
PFAS is Firefighting Foams: What is the Problem?
Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) is a fire suppressant used to extinguish flammable liquids such as gasoline, jet fuels, and oil.
This fluorine-containing foam puts out the fire by forming a thick blanket over the flammable liquid that spreads rapidly across the surface of the burning liquid. This foam layer, acting as a barrier, cuts off the fire’s oxygen supply and prevents the release of flammable vapors. As fire cannot sustain itself without oxygen, it’s extinguished.
While it’s an effective way to extinguish fires, studies link AFFF to cancer. A recently published article in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. found a connection between firefighting foam and testicular cancer. PFAS are to blame for increasing military firefighters’ risk of cancer. Elevated concentrations of PFAS were found in the blood samples of military firefighters.
Higher concentrations of PFAS in the blood are also linked with kidney cancer and prostate cancer. Exposure to PFAS-containing AFFF foams can also cause bladder, colon, liver, pancreatic and breast cancers, lymphoma, and leukemia.
Hundreds of lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturers of AFFF. Among them, one AFFF lawsuit was filed by Gary Flook, who served as a firefighter at the now-closed Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois in the Air Force for 37 years. When he was volunteering at his local fire department, he used the foam, completely unaware of the health risks it posed. In 2000, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Gary Flook and hundreds of other firefighters have sued the manufacturers of firefighting foams. According to TorHoerman Law, ChemDesign Inc., Chemguard Inc., Tyco Fire Products, Chemours, DuPont, and 3M are some defendants named in the lawsuits.
The U.S. has implemented bans on using AFFF, but these toxic foams still persist. The U.S. military has announced its plans to stop using this firefighting foam by October 2024.
Alternatives to AFFF for Firefighting
AFFF extinguishes flammable liquids effectively, but it can increase firefighters’ risk of several types of cancers. The rising concerns about the detrimental effects of PFAS on the health of firefighters are causing the authorities to explore safer alternatives. Here, we’ll discuss some of them.
1. Fluorine-Free Foams
F3 or fluorine-free foams are one of the most eco-conscious alternatives to AFFF. These foams, as the name suggests, are completely free from fluorosurfactants. That means these foams don’t increase a firefighter’s risk of developing cancer.
Unlike PFAS-containing foams, these do not persist in the environment and are biodegradable. Fluorine-free foams, also referred to as synthetic fluorine-free foams, are effective against both Class A and Class B fires.
2. Compressed Air Foam Systems
This ingenious system combines water, foam concentrate, and air to create a foam solution that stands as a powerful force against fires. As the foam solution exits the CAFS nozzle, it expands significantly due to the entrained air. Thus, it forms a thick foam blanket that covers the burning surface. CAFS are highly versatile, meaning they can put out both Class A and Class B fires.
3. Water Mist Systems
Another safer alternative to AFFF for firefighters is water mist systems. This fire-fighting system controls, suppresses, and extinguishes fires using tiny water droplets. High-pressure water is discharged through specialized nozzles, which atomize the water and create a fine mist.
Water mist systems effectively control Class A, Class B, and Class C fires. These systems are frequently used in various commercial and industrial facilities, including nuclear power plants.
To wrap things up, PFAS in firefighting foams are concerning due to their persistent and bioaccumulative nature.
The widespread use of PFAS-containing firefighting foams has also contaminated drinking water in the U.S. More than a dozen states, including Arkansas, Tennessee, New Mexico, and Rhode Island, have sued the manufacturers of AFFF.
Efforts to find safer and more effective alternatives to AFFF are underway. However, the introduction of fluorine-free foams, compressed air foam systems, and water mist systems has shown promise in mitigating the health and environmental risks associated with PFAS. Embracing these groundbreaking alternatives will not only help suppress fires effectively but also safeguard the planet.
