Work

Making waves: The progress of management strategies for cleaning and rinsing of PFAS-impacted fire suppression systems

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: • Fire suppression systems have been impacted by PFAS-containing AFFF. • Complexity of interior surfaces make it difficult for efficient cleanout. • Development of efficient PFAS cleanout and onsite management is required. Aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF) vehicles often contain residual levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) due to the global use of legacy and current use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) for class B firefighting. However, numerous countries are transitioning to fluorine-free foam (F3) alternatives. There is, thus, an urgent need to develop efficient methods to rinse and clean interior ARFF surfaces thereby avoiding expensive replacement costs and preventing further discharge of PFAS to the environment. However, the unique self-assembly behavior of amphiphilic PFAS is a complicating factor that can result in measurable levels of PFAS within replacement F3 following cleanout efforts (i.e., the rebound effect). This Making Waves article aims to elucidate the emerging challenges associated with cleanout of impacted ARFF vehicles and introduce the current efforts for PFAS management of rinsate derived from cleanout of impacted fire suppression infrastructure.

Source: Water Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122661

Authors: Hooman Vatankhah, Richard H. Anderson, Rajat Ghosh, Janice Willey, Andrea Leeson

Institutions: Colorado School of Mines, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Alcoa (United States), Naval Sea Systems Command, Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program

Language: English

Topic: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research

Subfield: Environmental Chemistry

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,520