Hidden dangers in AFFF relationships
Learn how to protect yourself from exposure to hazardous chemicals found in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) solutions used in firefighting.
The AFFF compound contains: per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acids (PFOS), which are toxic to the environment. It is a large family of man-made chemicals found in many consumer products such as polishes, waxes, paints and cleaning products.
How to protect yourself against infection
PFAS/PFOA/PFOS can be ingested orally, absorbed through the skin, or inhaled through atmospheric exposure. Staff in departments that use AFFF fire protection solutions containing PFAS/PFOA/PFOS should take the following precautions to prevent contamination:
- Replace older AFFF supplies with fluoride-free foam solutions
- Limit contact of AFFF with water drain
- Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) when working with AFFF
- Immediately after contact, cleansing wipes should be used on the face, neck and hands
- Clean contaminated PPE and SCBA before next use
- Shower within one hour of returning to unit or home
- If you believe you have been infected, see your occupational health care provider and document your exposure to PFAS/PFOA/PFOS. Tell your doctor about any concerns you have at your annual physical
If you have to choose a fire extinguishing device, choose one that is effective and non-toxic to living beings. Ecological solutions are becoming more and more important nowadays. More and more people pay attention to the green accent, which is so eye-catching. When creating iBlockFIRE, the idea was to combine effectiveness with ecology. Unfortunately, today's solutions are more or less harmful to the environment. You should choose wisely and responsibly, because it may be a decision with long-term effects.
