Making Waves: The Progress of Management Strategies for Cleaning and Rinsing of PFAS-Impacted Fire Suppression Systems

Aircraft rescue firefighting (ARFF) vehicles often contain residual levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) due to the global use of legacy and current use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) for class B firefighting. However, numerous countries are transitioning to fluorine-free foam (F3) alternatives. There is, thus, an urgent need to develop efficient methods to rinse and clean interior ARFF surfaces thereby avoiding expensive replacement costs and preventing further discharge of PFAS to the environment. However, the unique self-assembly behavior of amphiphilic PFAS is a complicating factor that can result in measurable levels of PFAS within replacement F3s following cleanout efforts (i.e., the rebound effect). This Making Waves article aims to elucidate the emerging challenges associated with cleanout of impacted ARFF vehicles and introduce the current efforts for PFAS management of rinsate derived from cleanout of impacted fire suppression infrastructure.