‘Forever Chemicals’: What Firefighters need to know about AFFF and PFAS

For decades, firefighters have used aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) to help extinguish difficult-to-suppress fires, particularly Class B fires involving petroleum products or other flammable liquids. And while AFFF formulations have proven to be extremely effective in suppressing those fires, we are now learning that the use of AFFF has had serious unintended consequences for both the firefighters who used it and the communities they protect.

PFAS PROBLEMS

Some AFFF formulations contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of chemicals that have been widely used for decades in a variety of applications beyond firefighting foam, including nonstick cookware, stain-resistant carpets and fabrics; coatings on some food packaging; and a variety of industrial applications. Read More…