International Firefighting Foam PFAS bans
As you know, the use of fluorinated foams - including AFFFs - has been under considerable scrutiny over the last few years due to environmental concerns regarding PFOS and PFOA.
This has led to the start of international bans of the use of fluorinated foams in certain territories and the adoption of fluorine free alternatives. The Fire Industry Association (FIA) has prepared a summary table of the current international situation and the different applications they are used for.
The key points are:
UK & Europe
- All fluorinated foams are still allowed with restrictions and timescales in place
USA
- Five states allow all fluorinated foams with restrictions and timescales in place
- Nine states have banned fluorinated foams for use in training and testing
- Five states allow fluorinated foams for use in firefighting applications with restrictions and timescales in place
- Thirty-one states have yet to make any decision
Australia
- Eight of the nine states have banned fluorinated foams for use in training and testing
- South Australia has completely banned the use of fluorinated foams
To download a copy of the FIA Summary, please click or tap here. |
At time of writing, fluorine free foams do not meet the same international standards as fluorinated foams which raises safety concerns for the use of F3 foams in firefighting applications. Until new F3 foams are developed that are as effective as fluorinated foams, we would still recommend the use of C6 AFFFs in critical firefighting applications.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this subject further, please don't hesitate to contact us.
