Fire Departments
What is the current state of PFAS regulation in AFFF?
In September 2020, SB 1044 (Allen) was signed into California State law. This bill phases out the use of PFAS-containing Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF), which is one of the major sources of PFAS pollution in California water. The State of California officially banned the manufacture, sale, and use of firefighting foams that contain PFAS, beginning on January 1, 2022. The following states have also either already imposed a ban or are in the process of banning PFAS in firefighting foam: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Why is PFAS used in AFFF?
AFFF is synthetic PFAS-containing foams designed for flammable liquid fires, also called Class B fires. PFAS are able to effectively repel oil and water, reduce friction, and are excellent at putting out fires. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined there is scientific evidence that PFAS exposure and ingestion can result in a host of health hazards, including cancer, reproductive issues, and kidney problems. PFAS are persistent in the environment and build up in the human body over time.
Traditionally, AFFF contained perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) or perluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Because of their persistence in the environment and well-documented health effects, these two specific chemicals are being phased out in the U.S. Still, these chemicals remain present in the bodies of most Americans and in our water, soil, and air.