Keeping It Safe Robert Tutterow
Before getting into the issue of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and firefighting foam, I wish to pay a brief tribute to the late Chief Bobby Halton.
Chief Halton unexpectedly passed on ahead of us just prior to Christmas this past year. He was editor in chief of Fire Engineering and vice president of education and training for Clarion Fire & Rescue—best known for the annual FDIC International in Indianapolis. For those of you fortunate enough to attend FDIC, you always knew that Bobby would deliver a keynote address that was the most passionate and energizing speech you would ever experience. He was a true patriot in every sense of the word and loved firefighters. Thank you, Chief Bobby Halton, for your contributions to our noble profession.
As Chief Halton was always an advocate for firefighter health and safety, having battled cancer himself, it seems appropriate that this column address a key health concern facing today’s fire service—PFAS and firefighting foam. PFAS is known as the “forever” chemical because it takes many decades, if not centuries, to break down. It is a known health hazard to all forms of life. There are thousands of these “forever” PFAS chemicals, and they are found in many different consumer, commercial, and industrial products. As you have likely heard, they are in the materials used to make our firefighting coats and pants. [The National Fire Protection Association technical committee for personal protective equipment (PPE) has a task group working aggressively to develop a revision to existing standards to eliminate PFAS. As of now, PFAS-free PPE has major durability problems to overcome.] However, they are most prominent in firefighting foam, and consequent exposures are greater to the firefighter and for soil and ground water contamination.
- IAFF Files Suit to Halt Toxic Turnout Gear Testing Standard
- Bill Would Require Labels for Firefighting Gear with PFAS
- Keeping It Safe: PFAS, What Can We Do Now?
The current dilemma facing the fire service is what to do with existing foam as viable PFAS-free foams are entering the market. The only way to dispose of foam containing PFAS is through incineration at a temperature of at least 1,000°C. This is something fire departments are not equipped to do, but there are companies that are developing systems (both fixed and portable) to incinerate foam.
So, what should fire departments do? First and foremost, never release it into the environment. The biggest fear of the “forever” chemical contamination is getting it into the ground water. Hopefully, there are no departments that will just dump it down a storm drain or into a sanitary sewer. Move as quickly as possible to acquire PFAS-free foam so you do not have to use PFAS foam in an emergency incident. You might say, “We’ll just set up training evolutions and use up our inventory of foam that way.” Do not try to get rid of your PFAS foam by using it for training. The possibility of soil/water contamination, in addition to firefighter exposure, is an unnecessary risk. Instead, use a “training foam” available from most manufacturers, which is PFAS free. Or, you might consider using dishwashing detergent. In addition, have a written plan to manage any accidental releases and train on this plan. The bottom line is to never try to dispose of the “forever” chemical on your own. Let a reputable firm handle this process and do your homework on potential firms who are entering the business. The opportunity to make a quick dollar might be coming at the expense of improper storage and disposal.
Keep in mind the majority of states now have some form of PFAS regulation, which varies from state to state. It is important to stay abreast of these regulations as they are ever evolving. Also, the federal government has proposed regulations on PFAS. It is wise to look at what European countries are doing to address PFAS for insight into what will likely occur in the United States. Become active in seeking state or federal funding to pay for the cost of any mandates.
There might be an opportunity for fire departments to leverage this issue to their benefit. For example, conduct a public relations campaign to educate the community about PFAS, how much you have, and how you intend to dispose of it without soil/water contamination. The theme of this campaign is to show how you value the environment and the citizens’ well-being. After all, life safety is our primary mission.
ROBERT TUTTEROW retired as safety coordinator for the Charlotte (NC) Fire Department and is a member of the Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Editorial Advisory Board. His 44-year career includes 10 as a volunteer. He has been very active in the National Fire Protection Association through service on the Fire Service Section Executive Board and technical committees involved with safety, apparatus, and personal protective equipment. He is a founding member and president of the Fire Industry Education Resource Organization (F.I.E.R.O.).
