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Dealing with AFFF and PFAS: Best Management Practices

Dealing with AFFF and PFAS: Best Management Practices. Ohio Chartered Fire Training Programs In-service Retreat. October 24, 2018 Ohio Department of Public Safety ODOT Auditorium. Nationwide awareness due to multi-state environmental contamination

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Dealing with AFFF and PFAS: Best Management Practices

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  1. Dealing with AFFF and PFAS: Best Management Practices Ohio Chartered Fire Training Programs In-service Retreat October 24, 2018 Ohio Department of Public Safety ODOT Auditorium

  2. Nationwide awareness due to multi-state environmental contamination Soil, sediment, air, ocean, rivers, lakes and ground water Found in tissue and blood of humans, birds, fish worldwide One concentrated source: AFFF use in fire training Often military bases, but civilian training centers also affected Why this update from Ohio EPA?

  3. Fire training source of PFAS have become a problem in dozens of states and worldwide Ohio EPA goal is to raise awareness among FF professionals statewide What is the risk? Is my current stock a problem? Is my current training regimen a problem? What are my options? Why an update from Ohio EPA?

  4. Family of synthetic organic chemicals developed by 3M in 1940s, used worldwide since the 1950s Molecules are chains of carbon bonded to fluorine Contain C-F bonds, may also include O, H, S, or N. C-F bond the strongest organic bond known The most common specific PFAS are PFOS and PFOA Carbon chains = eight What are PFAS? Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances

  5. Long-chain acids that typically occur as anions, and they form from the degradation of other PFAS PFOS and PFOA

  6. Hydrophobic, lipophobic, excellent surfactants Resistant to hydrolysis, oxidation and reduction Do not degrade (bio, photo, chemical) Bioaccumulative and toxic Generally miscible in water Strong environmental persistence PFAS Chemical Properties

  7. Industry surfactants/friction reduction in aerospace, automotive, construction, electronics, AFFF, polymers Consumer Products Non-stick cookware, food packaging Soil-, stain-, and water-resistance in homes, shoes, clothing, textiles, plastics, carpeting PFAS Uses

  8. U.S. EPA Health Advisory Levels PFOA and/or PFOS = 70 ppt What is a part-per-trillion? 1 second in 32,000 years 2 revs of a golf ball relative to earth-sun distance 1 in2 in 250 square miles Drinking Water Health Advisories

  9. Used only for high-hazard flammable liquid fires (Class B) AFFF = hydrocarbon foaming agent + fluorinated surfactants Aqueous film spreads across fuel to exclude oxygen and form vapor barrier This film formation is main feature of AFFF Class B foams Fluorinated foams containing PFAS (AFFF, AR-AFFF, FFFP, FP) Fluorine-free foams do not contain PFAS (PF, AR-PF, FFF, AR-FFF) AFFF Overview

  10. Vast majority of current US stock is AFFF All AFFF contain PFAS (including those sold today) If it is labeled AFFF or AR-AFFF, it contains PFAS All MILSPEC foams contain PFAS AFFF Overview con’t

  11. Legacy AFFF Mfg late ‘60s to 2002. Exclusively by 3M as “Lightwater” – contain PFOS Older formulations also contain PFOA, or can degrade into PFOA/PFOS All MILSPEC foams under MIL-PRF-24385 Legacy Fluorotelomer AFFF Mfg late ‘70s to 2016 (all brands besides above) All contain “pre-cursors” which degrade into problem compounds Modern Fluorotelomer AFFF Contain short-chained PFAS (6 carbon and less) Less risk to environment, but still a concern AFFF of Concern

  12. AFFF important part of FF toolbox Releases to environment can be managed with good planning Be aware of sensitive areas of use: Surface water bodies Wetlands Areas close to sanitary sewers leading to rivers Sole source aquifers BMPs for AFFF Use

  13. Develop strategy for decision points Can FFF provide required performance? Consider two-foam approach (AR-AFFF + FFF) Decisions must be made well in advance of incident Develop inventory/ tracking strategy for all foams Maintain all systems to prevent accidental discharges/spills during testing Eliminate use of AFFF for training/testing PFAS-free training foams are available Surrogate liquid test methods available from foam mfgs BMPs for AFFF Use

  14. Develop containment strategy for spent foams Collect, treat, and properly dispose of runoff/wastewater from live events Use appropriate PPE when handling Maintain equip to prevent accidental discharges/spills during storage/testing/handling Keep records of when/where/type foams used Note sensitive receptors (streams, lakes, homes, sewers, areas served by wells) BMPs for AFFF Use

  15. Be aware of what products you have in stock Take inventory, evaluate your liability Establish a plan to mitigate future problems Read available fact sheets (back of room) Consider proper disposal of legacy (pre-2003) foams Incineration is the only disposal method that avoids more potential contamination Final Thoughts

  16. Interstate Technology Regulatory Council (ITRC) Fact Sheet Fire Fighting Foam Coalition Best Practice Guidance AFFF References Both of these excellent fact sheets are available as handouts at the back of the room

  17. Mike Slattery, Ohio EPA Division of Drinking and Ground Water (614) 728-1221 michael.slattery@epa.ohio.gov Questions ?

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