Clean or Replace? Decontaminating PFAS from Firefighting Equipment and Hangars (ER20-5361)
Citation:
Diskin, J., K. Eckhoff, W. Harper, AND M. Magnuson. Clean or Replace? Decontaminating PFAS from Firefighting Equipment and Hangars (ER20-5361). 2023 EPA International Decontamination Conference, Charleston, SC, December 05 - 07, 2023.
Impact/Purpose:
The primary goal of this project is to provide data and information to refine existing cleanup guidelines for firefighting systems, specifically hangar systems and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles impacted by PFAS. The expected overall benefit of this project is the development of a standardized cleanup framework based on a toolbox of options utilized across the DoD and civilian aviation firefighting community which could potentially lead to substantial cost savings.
Description:
Many aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) delivery systems in aircraft hangars and firefighting vehicles may require thorough cleaning to avoid ongoing environmental impacts from residual per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) within those systems. Though replacement AFFF formulations are being introduced, existing residuals and legacy contamination within these AFFF delivery systems are likely to continue to discharge PFAS. Anecdotal and vendor supplied cleaning methods exist, but it is unclear whether they are effective for the ultra-trace levels of concern. Thus, current operational parameters may need to be adjusted to meet the challenges presented by PFAS. Currently, no framework is available for evaluating the cost and environmental impact of cleanup compared to the costs of replacing components and systems.