Clean or Replace? Decontamination Framework for Firefighting Equipment and Hangars - 08/24/2021
Citation:
Magnuson, M., J. Burkhardt, T. Haxton, AND M. Mills. Clean or Replace? Decontamination Framework for Firefighting Equipment and Hangars - 08/24/2021. SERDP & ESTCP PFAS-Free Firefighting Foam Project Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, August 24 - 26, 2021.
Impact/Purpose:
The goal of the research is to provide data and information to refine existing guidance about how to flush per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from firefighting systems, specifically hangar systems and aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicles. Thousands of military and civilian aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) delivery systems in aircraft hangars and firefighting vehicles may require decontamination or replacement, with replacement cost estimates ranging into the billions. Currently, no framework is available for evaluating cost and environmental impact of decontamination compared to costs of replacing components and systems.
Description:
The purpose of this work is to provide data and information to refine existing guidance about how to flush per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from firefighting systems, specifically hangar systems and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles. It is relevant to the DOD because as many as 4,350 DOD aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) delivery systems in aircraft hangars and firefighting vehicles may require decontamination. Unless effective cleaning solutions are available, replacement will cost $2.1 billion, according to CBO. There is a technical gap since no framework is available for evaluating cost and environmental impact of decontamination compared to costs of replacing components and systems.