Health Risks of AFFF

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/175/24

19th July 2024

To: The Secretary

ALL SHIPPING BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

 

HEALTH RISKS OF AFFF

 

Following receipt of the attached report from the Lead Officer on the potentially carcinogenic properties of Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) fire extinguishers, at its meeting on 11th July, your National Executive Committee noted and adopted the following report from its Health and Safety Sub-committee:

 

We note the Lead Officer’s report, for which he is thanked.

 

The General Secretary is instructed to act in line with the Lead Officer’s report and seek to identify more information from the FBU, and also the North American unions via the ITF, in relation to AFFF exposure in the first instance and seek to establish a greater understanding of the use of AFFF from within the Maritime sector including colleges and employers.

 

Relevant Branches and Regional Councils to be notified.

 

I am acting in line with these instructions. Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members. 

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary

www.rmt.org.uk/healthandsafety

 

 

 

17th May 2024

 

Health Risks of AFFF Foam 

 

I have been made aware of concerns being raised particularly from members within the RFA with regards to AFFF foam.

 

WHAT IS AFFF?

AFFF is a firefighting agent widely used for its ability to suppress flammable liquid fires rapidly. Its primary purpose is to form a film that extinguishes fires by separating the fuel from the oxygen in the air. 

Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) is a synthetic-based foam used to extinguish flammable or combustible liquid fuel fires, such as blazes involving oil and gas. AFFF was reportedly developed in the 1960s by chemical giant 3M before being used for many decades by Fire Departments internationally as the “gold standard” for extinguishing liquid fuel fires. Additionally, the substance was frequently used by fire brigades in training exercises. 

AFFF was commonly used n the Maritime sector including the Royal Navy and RFA, as well as Marine colleges, who used AFFF in their fire-fighting training environments, in which seafarers and offshore workers would need to be undertake training on a regular basis (usually 5 years) depending upon grade and role.  These courses included fire-fighting with AFF, and constant refilling of extinguishers by students on course.

 

DISCONTINUTION OF AFFF

It was not until 2002 that the manufacture of PFOS was largely discontinued, when US manufacturer 3M, ceased production. 

Thereafter, in May 2009, PFOS were included in Annex B of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) which restricted the manufacture, import and export of PFOS.

 

Following the discontinuance of PFOS based foaming agents, fire departments relied on foam containing fluorinated and hydrocarbon-based products. However, these foaming agents contain PFOAs which are a different type of PFA.

 

In May 2019 further restrictions were implemented under the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 in respect of the use of PFOAs and PFOAs were added to Annex A of the convention to be eliminated. 

 

In keeping with EU Regulations, since July 4, 2020 the following has been required:

•             All existing stocks of AFFF containing PFOA installed in a premises may only be used for Class B fires (the burning of flammable liquids).

•             Use of AFFF containing PFOA is prohibited for training purposes. 

•             Testing of equipment/systems of AFFF containing PFOA is only allowed if releases are contained and can be properly disposed of.

 

 

HEALTH RISKS

However, AFFF contains known carcinogens, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoro octane sulfonate (PFOS). These chemicals persist in the body after exposure, raising the risk of cancer with increased exposure, and are commonly referred to as “forever chemicals,” due to their persistent nature in the environment. 

 

These foam face exposure increases risks of thyroid, kidney, bladder, testicular, prostate, and colon cancers. Other reported links reported by The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry and the EPA include:

•             Increases in cholesterol

•             High blood pressure and preeclampsia in pregnant women

•             Decreased response to vaccination in children

•             Immune system changes

•             Liver enzyme changes

•             Decreases in infant birth weight

•             Increased risk of certain cancers, including kidney and testicular cancer Thyroid disorders

 

These current cases highlight the profound impact of PFAS exposure on human health. As more individuals come forward with similar experiences, the link between PFAS exposure and cancer appears to be becoming increasingly evident according to some reports.

 

DISCONTINUTION OF AFFF

It was not until 2002 that the manufacture of PFOS was largely discontinued, when US manufacturer 3M, ceased production. 

Thereafter, in May 2009, PFOS were included in Annex B of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) which restricted the manufacture, import and export of PFOS.

 

Following the discontinuance of PFOS based foaming agents, fire departments relied on foam containing fluorinated and hydrocarbon-based products. However, these foaming agents contain PFOAs which are a different type of PFA.

 

PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals known for their resistance to heat, water, and oil. They have been used in various industrial and consumer products for decades, including firefighting foams.

 

In May 2019 further restrictions were implemented under the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 in respect of the use of PFOAs and PFOAs were added to Annex A of the convention to be eliminated. 

 

In keeping with EU Regulations, since July 4, 2020 the following has been required:

•             All existing stocks of AFFF containing PFOA installed in a premises may only be used for Class B fires (the burning of flammable liquids).

•             Use of AFFF containing PFOA is prohibited for training purposes. Refer previously to my earlier comment regarding training in the Maritime environment.

•             Testing of equipment/systems of AFFF containing PFOA is only allowed if releases are contained and can be properly disposed of.

 

 

 

Around eight-thousand cases have been reported in the USA, and the UK Fire Brigade Union have raised concerns ahead of any future cases arising in relation to exposure by their members.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

I am requesting that we seek identify more information from the FBU in relation to AFFF exposure in the first instance and seek to establish a greater understanding of the use of AFFF from within the Maritime sector including colleges and employers. 

 

Best Regards

Darren Procter

National Secretary