Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have become essential components in firefighting foams, mainly due to their unique ability to repel water and resist heat. These properties are crucial for extinguishing Class B fires, which involve flammable liquids like oil, kerosene, and other hydrocarbons. But how did the widespread use of PFAS in firefighting foams come about, and what are the side effects on human health and the environment?

A Military Origin

PFAS were introduced in firefighting foams in the 1960s, when the military and industry were seeking more effective solutions to combat large-scale fires. At the time, fuel tank fires on tankers, at airports, and on military sites posed a major challenge. Traditional foams were not enough to smother these fires quickly, leading to significant material and human losses.

It was then that PFAS were integrated into aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) formulations, which proved to be a major advancement. PFAS allowed the foam to create a floating film on the surface of burning liquids, effectively cutting off the oxygen supply and extinguishing the fire more quickly. This technology was quickly adopted by the military, airports, oil refineries, and other high-risk industries. To this day, the military is reportedly still the largest user of firefighting foams in the United States, representing about 75% of the AFFF market, with the remainder being used by municipal fire services and oil treatment plants and refineries.

Increased Efficiency, But Maximum Pollution…

Despite their undeniable effectiveness, the use of AFFF has significant environmental consequences. During training exercises or emergency interventions, PFAS-containing foams are often discharged in large quantities onto the ground. These chemical compounds do not easily degrade, seeping into the soil and contaminating both the land and nearby groundwater and surface water. Firefighter training sites, airports, and military bases are particularly affected, with high concentrations of PFAS consistently detected in the surrounding waters. A recent report by the ARTE television channel highlighted the massive contamination of the grounds of Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, with more than 200,000 tons of soil polluted by PFAS following firefighting training exercises on the tarmac.

Firefighters on the Front Line

Firefighters are clearly the professionals most exposed to these substances, through repeated contact with AFFF foams, as well as the PFAS present in their flame-resistant uniforms. PFAS are now known to be endocrine disruptors, and their accumulation in the body can lead to various health problems, including cancers, thyroid diseases, and kidney dysfunction.

As a result, firefighters’ concerns have naturally intensified in recent years, with numerous reports indicating high rates of serious illnesses within their profession. A 2020 American study established a link between PFAS exposure and the occurrence of four of the eight main cancers more frequently seen in firefighters, including testicular cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and prostate cancer.

Firefighters from various countries, particularly in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, have begun filing lawsuits against AFFF manufacturers, accusing these companies of concealing the risks associated with PFAS for decades. In France, although class action lawsuits have been slow to emerge, the controversy is growing; protests have erupted, with notably over 3,000 demonstrators taking to the streets of Paris in May 2024 to defend the interests of exposed firefighters.

A Slim Hope in the Short Term

While PFAS have been a crucial innovation in firefighting, the long-term consequences of their widespread use are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Soil and water contamination, as well as the health effects on firefighters, pose major challenges for public health authorities and the industry. Safer alternatives to PFAS in firefighting foams are currently under study, but for now, the debate over the use of these substances is far from over.

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*Image from Military_Material on Pixabay