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.
Does Fire Fighting foam cause cancer?
Chemical-based firefighting foam called AFFF has been sold for decades, but the deadly side effects of the chemical are now widely known. PFAS-based firefighting foam exposure may cause firefighters to develop: Renal or kidney cancer . Testicular cancer .
Does firefighting foam still contain PFAS?
Class A firefighting foams are used for wild fires and structural fires and do not contain PFAS chemicals . ... Firefighters are particularly at risk from PFAS exposure because they are exposed to AFFF during both training and actual fires.
What chemicals are in firefighting foam?
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).
Does Class A foam cause cancer?
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.
Does FireAde 2000 contain PFAS?
FireAde ® 2000 is made of 98% organic compound, contains no PFOA or PFOS , zero hazardous chemicals and consists of fully biodegradable water based and food grade ingredients. ... FireAde ® 2000 is the first “true” Class A and B firefighting foam ever produced.
What is the difference between AFFF and AR-AFFF?
AFFF and AR-AFFF consist of essentially the same ingredients . These typically include fluorosurfactants, hydrocarbon surfactants, solvents, inorganic salts, corrosion inhibitors, water; and in the case of AR- AFFF, a polymer which is typically a polysaccharide.
What does AFFF foam stand for?
Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF, or alcohol resistant AR-AFFF) is a highly effective foam used for fighting high-hazard flammable liquid fires. AFFF is usually created by combining foaming agents with fluorinated surfactants.
Is Class A foam AFFF?
Class A foams are used to extinguish fires caused by wood, paper, and brush . ... Of the fluorinated foams, aqueous film forming foams or “AFFF” are the foams that contain varying amounts and mixtures of PFAS, and of the most concern to human health and the environment.
Who makes AFFF?
AFFF was a new compound then: Navy scientists had been working with Minnesota-based chemical company 3M on developing the foam since the early 1960s; in 1966, the Navy patented the material, which creates a thin layer over the surface of the fuel that smothers the flames and prevents the release of vapor that could ...
Is AFFF cancerous?
PFAS in AFFF are toxic and carcinogenic to animals and potentially to humans as well , according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The IARC classifies PFOA as a group 2B carcinogen, which means it is “possibly” carcinogenic to humans.
What is the difference between Class A and B foam?
The true difference between a Class A foam and a Class B foam is that the Class B foam repels the carbons forming a film over the liquid , resulting in the suppression of the vapors, which is what is actually burning, while the Class A foam is penetrating the fuel.
Does all AFFF 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 high expansion foam contain PFAS?
High-Expansion Foam is used in fighting Class-A, Class-B, and LNG fires both indoors and outdoors. ... Fluoroprotein Foam is produced using PFAS . The PFAS chemicals are not PFOA or PFOS. However, in earlier fluoroprotein foams, PFOA and PFOS may have been present in low levels.
Are Fluorosurfactants PFAS?
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of fluorine-containing chemicals with broad application in commercial products. ... Fluorosurfactants and side-chain polymer PFAS are manufactured from raw materials made by either electrochemical fluorination (ECF) or the telomerization process.
