Fire Department Service Announcement – Bulletin #8: PFAS contamination at fire training sites, issued on 29 January 2021

States are taking action to determine PFAS contamination of fire training sites. Florida completed their firefighting foam survey in February 2020:

‘In 2018, DEP conducted a statewide survey of 45 certified fire training facilities. This survey gathered information regarding each facility’s historic use of AFFF and the source of each facility’s drinking water. In addition, the survey identified the likely locations of nearby public and private potable wells. This information was used to prioritize the order in which the facilities were evaluated. The Department assessed 25 fire training facilities where usage of AFFF was confirmed or suspected.’¹

In addition: ‘From 2008 to 2014, Antea Group [sustainability consultants] participated in a source investigation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water and soil, tasked with completing a U.S.-based region-wide survey of potential PFAS sources for a confidential client.’² The company then ‘surveyed personnel from local municipal and private industrial fire departments and firefighting training facilities, such as refineries and airports, regarding their use and knowledge of firefighting foams.’³

‘Based on the site ranking, several firefighting training and fire sites where Class B AFFF was discharged were identified as potential PFAS sources and selected for further investigation. Antea Group completed these additional investigation activities including site reconnaissance, in-depth interviews, and sampling of potentially affected media including groundwater, soil, surface water or sediments.

‘…PFAS were present in the environment above background at sites where Class B AFFF was discharged repeatedly in training exercises or where large amounts of AFFF was utilized on Class B fires. In many cases, PFAS in surface water or groundwater were at concentrations above the available state or federal screening or advisory levels for drinking water, so it was important for the client to have that full visibility in order to take corrective action.’⁴

For more information, contact Vicki Quint, Quint LLC at codepfas@gmail.com

 

References

1. Fire Training Facilities Assessment for PFOA and PFOS, floridadep.gov/waste/waste-cleanup/content/fire-training-facilities-assessment-pfoa-and-pfos

2. Mapping PFAS Hotspots at Fire Training Facilities, us.anteagroup.com/projects/mapping-pfas-hot-spots-firefighting-training-facilities#52671

3. ibid.

4. ibid.