Environmental remediation is crucial work that helps heal past harms and protects future generations. One Ohio company is on the leading edge of responsibly dealing with toxic firefighting foam that has contaminated water sources across the United States.
For decades, these foams were used by firefighters and the military without a full understanding of their health and environmental impacts. Now that the dangers are clear, innovative solutions are needed. These solutions are being pioneered to destroy stockpiles of this foam and remove it from affected lands and waters.
This article examines the promising technology being developed that could lead the way in the necessary destruction of these toxic chemicals.
Exposure to specific polyfluoroalkyl chemicals has been linked to an increased risk of testicular cancer. This was according to a new study published in Environmental Health Perspectives. The increased risk was observed among Air Force personnel.
PFAS are toxic chemicals used in firefighting foams like aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). This foam is employed by the military to extinguish liquid fuel fires. The study specifically found a link between elevated levels of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), a type of PFAS, and testicular cancer.
The researchers analyzed blood samples from 530 Air Force members diagnosed with testicular cancer and compared them to 530 cancer-free control samples. They found higher levels of PFOS in those who had cancer. Other factors, such as being a firefighter, were associated with higher PFAS levels. Being stationed at a base with PFAS contamination in the water supply was also linked to increased PFAS levels.
Testicular cancer is already the most common cancer diagnosed in young men, especially among active-duty military servicemen. This study was the first to investigate a potential connection to PFAS exposure through the use of firefighting foam.
AboutLawsuits says another study from the University of Arizona examined PFAS contamination near Airway Heights, Washington, which is located near Fairchild Air Force Base.
The study found high levels of PFAS chemicals in the blood of local residents. The mapping and analysis of water flow linked this contamination to two landfills used by the nearby military base.
The landfills had historically AFFF, which contained PFAS and was used for firefighting. However, the dissolved foam was not filtered before leaching into groundwater and drinking water supplies.
The timing of PFAS levels rising in water sources matched periods when the bases used AFFF. This provides evidence that foam disposal has led to widespread water contamination over time.
Lawsuits have been filed on behalf of individuals exposed to aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a firefighting foam containing toxic PFAS chemicals. These legal actions seek to hold AFFF manufacturers accountable for injuries and health issues tied to exposure.
As per TruLaw, a multidistrict litigation (MDL) process consolidates these cases in federal court. Plaintiffs include firefighters, military personnel, and civilians who consumed contaminated water. They allege manufacturers failed to adequately warn consumers about AFFF's risks.
The AFFF lawsuits argue that manufacturers had a duty to ensure their products did not pose unreasonable health risks. It's claimed this duty was breached by not providing sufficient warnings, directly resulting in injuries to plaintiffs. Some suits also contend that AFFF's chemical design was inherently toxic and defective.
Product liability law is invoked, suggesting AFFF was unreasonably dangerous both due to a lack of warnings and its composition. Plaintiffs in some states can pursue compensation claims without needing to prove negligence if a defective product caused harm.
States are taking action to address risks from firefighting foam. The ongoing litigation seeks to hold those responsible for exposure to these toxic chemicals accountable.
NH Business Review says the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) has partnered with Revive Environmental, an Ohio-based company. Together, they are collecting and destroying AFFF containing carcinogenic PFAS chemicals from over 100 fire departments and airports across New Hampshire.
AFFF has long been used for firefighting but contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which research has linked to cancers. Over 100,000 gallons of unused AFFF will be removed through the program.
Revive uses a process called supercritical water oxidation to destroy the PFAS in AFFF. This converts the materials into clean water, which can be discharged safely. It avoids issues with previous methods that left PFAS in landfills.
So far, nearly 10,000 gallons have been collected from 13 fire departments at an event. Locations like the fire academy and Manchester Airport are participating.
The program aims to help firefighters and protect the environment by eliminating potential PFAS contamination risks. New federal requirements are also phasing out PFAS-containing foams for airport use.
NHDES began addressing the PFAS issue in 2014 and started this collection program in 2019. It contracts with Revive for $1 million to destroy all foam collected through the next months. Fire departments can participate at no cost.
This initiative addresses longstanding concerns about potential health and environmental risks posed by carcinogenic compounds. By completing this collection effort, New Hampshire will significantly reduce the chances of PFAS contamination occurring from undisposed foam stockpiles.
A: Yes, there are plans to discontinue AFFF extinguishers. Current legislative proposals aim to halt the production and distribution of these extinguishers by mid-2025. This upcoming restriction is part of a broader initiative to eliminate PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) from firefighting equipment. PFOA, a chemical found in AFFF and other products, has raised health and environmental concerns.
A: Firefighting foams, including AFFF, can maintain their effectiveness for extended periods when stored properly. If AFFF-LF and AFFF concentrates are kept in their original, sealed containers, they may remain usable for 10 to 20 years. This is possible as long as the manufacturer's recommended storage conditions are met. To guarantee a lifetime, it is imperative to adhere to the manufacturer's recommendations regarding storage temperature and other aspects.
A: For Class B fires, which involve flammable liquids, the most commonly used foam is AFFF. This foam often contains PFAS and is highly effective against fires fueled by substances such as gasoline, oil, and aviation fuel. AFFF works by creating a film on the surface of the flammable liquid, suppressing vapors and preventing reignition.
Revive Environmental's pioneering destruction technology provides hope that past harms from toxic AFFF foam can be remediated.
By fully removing PFAS from the waste stream before disposal, their advanced process ensures these harmful chemicals do not persist in the environment. This also prevents them from continuing to threaten public health.
As more places partner to collect and destroy stockpiled foam using Revive's supercritical water oxidation, communities across the United States can find relief. Upcoming generations will be spared exposure to the toxic legacy of foam.
With innovative solutions like this, we move closer to the day when harmful PFAS are eliminated from our lands, waters, and bodies for good.
