In movies, when we see fiery car crashes or flaming planes on runways, we know they are not real. But in the real world, fuel fires must be quenched with special kinds of chemicals, and the ones that have been most commonly used are known as aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). However, environmental and health concerns about AFFFs have launched widespread efforts to detect, monitor and eventually eliminate them. Now, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have released new reference materials to expedite these efforts.
called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances , enabling them to suppress fuel fires much more quickly and efficiently compared with other alternatives. Unlike water dumped on a flame, which wouldn't work in a scenario where a flammable liquid is causing the fire, the foams not only spread over the fire but prevent it from reigniting by suppressing oxygen flow and fuel vapors.
Due to their significant ability to resist heat and chemical changes, the PFAS in these foams break down slowly over time, giving them the name"forever chemicals." The foams can easily leak into nearby water and soil and affect the surrounding ecology, raising concerns because PFAS have been linked toBecause of these concerns, organizations including the Department of Defense are starting to eliminate the use of PFAS-containing materials.
To help with this phaseout, NIST researchers have collaborated with the DOD on a series of AFFF reference materials containing PFAS. During the phaseout process, older AFFFs will still be around, and the RMs will help organizations identify foams with PFAS so they can remove them from use. While manufacturers aim to meet the new military specifications for their foams to contain less than 1 parts per million PFAS,"There are still legacy AFFFs sitting across the country, and they will need to have measurements made to show if they contain PFAS," said NIST chemist Jessica Reiner."If they do contain PFAS, then they will need to be disposed of properly."
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