Foam Fire Extinguishers: What is Going on with AFFF?

If you’re reading this then you probably have heard the rumblings about firefighting foam or AFFF; maybe you even own an old, foam fire extinguisher yourself. Are you wondering what all the fuss is about? To understand all the discussions surrounding AFFF, namely the environmental effects and health risks, let’s start off by first understanding how this stuff came to be so prevalent.

Foam extinguishers first came on the market in the early 1900’s and have been used widely ever since. Over the years there have been various different chemical agents used to produce that foaming effect, but it wasn’t until the 1960’s that AFFF was introduced. AFFF or Aqueous Film-Forming Foam based extinguishers became the predominate extinguisher for fires involving flammable liquids- that is until now. AFFF based extinguishers gained prominence because of their unique ability to contain a fire; this foaming action has the ability to extinguish the fire, prevent it from spreading, and create a protective barrier- all extremely useful attributes when dealing with oils, gases, lubricants, and other flammable liquids.

Recent discoveries have made it clear that AFFF’s use in both the fire service at large and foam fire extinguishers poses a significant risk to the environment. This is due to their use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), man-made chemicals that don’t breakdown easily and naturally. These PFAS chemicals have been accused of everything from increasing cancer risks and raising cholesterol levels to reducing reproduction and altering behavior in wildlife! When the AFFF agent is deployed, whether on a large scale like by fire departments during structure fires or during a small fire by using a foam extinguisher, those PFAS are able to disperse through the air, sink into the soil, and flow into our water supplies leading to pollution and contamination- which allows for all those nasty side-effects to get to us!

In light of these recent revelations regarding AFFF, the fire service industry has been phasing out the use of this particular foaming agent. AFFF’s use in extinguishers and fire departments alike will come to end by 2026– at least that’s the goal. The good news is there are already safe alternatives on the market including foam extinguishers that utilize fluorine-free foams (F3s). But what if you already have an AFFF extinguisher???

1. If the extinguisher is still charged do NOT try to discharge the extinguisher or dispose of its contents on your own. If you must have a foam type extinguisher on hand, consider purchasing a new, safe F3 extinguisher or utilizing an ABC dry chemical extinguisher for the time being.
2. Do NOT throw the extinguisher away- not in your garbage at home, at the town dump, or during some free waste/recycling event! AFFF is considered hazardous waste and, thus, must be disposed of only by authorized persons with the proper equipment and training.
3. To dispose of your AFFF extinguisher you will need to find a company that offers hazardous waste disposal that is accredited with a dedicated AFFF disposal site. This will depend largely on your location and the local resources; contacting your local fire department and/or waste management provider is a good starting point.
4. If you have concerns about whether your property or physical health may have already been affected by AFFF exposure, contact the proper local authorities. This may include your doctor and/or lawyer, the local fire department, and the DNR. Make sure you keep clear documentation if you believe you may have been affected by AFFF.