Does all AFFF foam contain PFAS?

All AFFF products contain PFAS. This applies to foams used in the past and those being sold today. Foam currently in stock or new foam that is labeled as AFFF or AR-AFFF, contains perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, or both, as active ingredients (DOD 2018; Darwin 2004).

Does firefighting foam still have PFAS?

While every state has its own rules and regulations: California banned PFAS in food packaging and paper straws. The state has also passed legislation banning the use of PFAS in firefighting foams starting in 2028.

What foam has PFAS?

PFAS may also be in certain firefighting foams. These foams are most commonly known as Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) or Class B foam.

Do Class foams have PFAS?

Class A foams do not contain PFAS and are safe to use for their intended purpose. They are covered under NFPA 1150 (Standard on Foam Chemicals for Fires in Class A Fuels).

When was PFAS added to firefighting foam?

1976. PFAS chemicals first added to firefighters' personal protective equipment, also known as turnout gear.

PFAS in fire-fighting foam: What you should do!

Is AFFF foam toxic?

While AFFF is not dangerous in and of itself, it is the two groups of chemicals in it, namely PFOS and PFOA, which are highly toxic to our health. Thereby, exposure to AFFF can lead to various forms of cancer over the course of several years.

Is firefighting foam toxic?

Firefighting Foam Contains Toxic Forever Chemicals

Firefighting foam contains numerous toxic chemicals known as “forever chemicals.” These chemicals do not break down quickly and stay around for a long time. They are linked to a variety of chronic and disabling illnesses and conditions, especially cancers.

Is PFOA in AFFF?

Two PFAS compounds, perfluorooctane acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), may be present in firefighting aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) solutions.

Is Class B foam the same as AFFF?

Class B Foam (also called AFFF): Used to extinguish Class B materials, which include gasoline, oil, and jet fuel.

Does C6 foam contain PFAS?

PFAS-based foams are currently made of short-chain C6-fluorosurfactants, but do not contain any PFOS or PFOA. The PFAS in current fluorotelomer-based foams are shorter chain molecules and have less impact. Depending on the country and the legislation, some PFAS-based foams are still used.

What is AFFF foam made of?

Synthetic foams

Aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) are water-based and frequently contain hydrocarbon-based surfactant such as sodium alkyl sulfate, and fluorosurfactant, such as fluorotelomers, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), or perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).

What is the difference between AFFF and AR-AFFF?

With E-85 (85 percent ethanol to gasoline), AFFF is a poor choice. AFFF and AR-AFFF are also not compatible as a finished product. AR-AFFF contains a polymer that is activated by the ethanol and is the barrier that provides vapor suppression.

What is the difference between Class A and Class B foam?

The basic difference is how the foams react to carbon: Class A attracts it; Class B repels it. As a carbon-loving solution, Class A foam soaks into solid, combustible materials by breaking down the surface tension of the water.

Is AFFF still being used?

According to the EWG, there are now safer and equally effective alternatives to AFFF, and many states are prohibiting the use of PFAS-based foams, such as AFFF and AR-AFFF. Further, the National Defense Authorization Act now directs all Department of Defense fire departments to stop using AFFF and AR-AFFF by 2024.

Do household fire extinguishers have PFAS?

How can I find out if my home fire extinguisher contains PFAS? Household fire extinguishers labeled “Dry Chemical” or “Carbon Dioxide” are unlikely to contain PFAS. Foam-type fire extinguishers are designed for fighting oil fires.

When was PFOS banned?

May 6, 2019

Under an international treaty, countries are prohibiting the use of firefighting foams containing PFOA or PFOS in training exercises like this one. A widely used industrial fluorochemical that is linked to cancer and pollutes drinking water around the world is on its way to a global phaseout.

Does high expansion foam contain PFAS?

Tyco Fire Products produces High Expansion Foam without using PFAS. Fluoroprotein Foam is derived from a protein foam concentrate to which small amounts of fluorochemical surfactants are added to produce an easier flowing foam.

Does Ansulite AR-AFFF contain PFAS?

They contain no PFOS. ANSULITE 3x3 Low-Viscosity AR-AFFF Concentrate can be used with both aspirating and non-aspirating discharge devices because of the low energy required to make foam.

Is Class A foam toxic?

Chemguard First Class is a non-corrosive, non-toxic, biodegradable Class A foam concentrate. When mixed with water in the correct proportion, it changes the properties of water.

Is foam cancerous?

The PFAS chemicals present in firefighting foam are also known carcinogens, meaning they can cause cancer. The presence of PFAS in AFFF means firefighting foam cancer presents a serious risk to firefighters, airport workers, and property owners exposed to this fire suppressant.

What potentially cancerous compounds are found in AFFF?

Two of the compounds in AFFF are perfluorooctane acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). Both are known carcinogens. They are part of the chemical group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). As human-made compounds, they do not occur in the natural environment.

Why is PFAS used in firefighting?

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been commonly used to improve the ability of fire-fighting foam to smother fire. In such 'aqueous film-forming foams', or AFFFs, these chemicals have been used on fires at many thousands of emergency and training sites worldwide over the past half-century.

When did the military start using PFAS?

In the 1960s, the United States Navy used certain PFAS to develop life-saving firefighting foams with support from 3M. Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) was created to address life-threatening challenges facing the military in live combat missions and training exercises.

What are the side effects of AFFF?

What foam do firefighters use?

Firefighters use aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) to help extinguish difficult-to-fight fires, particularly fires that involve petroleum or other flammable liquids ‚ known as Class B fires. However, not all firefighting foams are classified as AFFF.