Firewater toxicity after extinguishing natural-based insulation materials

Abstract

Water is the most widely used fire extinguishing agent. It is used to eliminate a wide range of fires, often occurring in ecologically sensitive areas. There is little information on the toxicity of the fire-fighting substances in connection with aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Toxic substances often present in fire waters slow down life processes. As a result, some organisms die. This study deals with the extinguishing of burning solids (fiberboard, cannabis, straw, cork) with extinguishing water and assessment of its effects on the aquatic and terrestrial environment. The following test organisms were selected to test the effects of the extinguishing water: Daphnia magna – consumer; and Sinapis alba and Lemna minor – producers. A preliminary test was carried out on all the samples to evaluate the (positive / negative) effects of the fire water on the test organisms. Specific conductivity, pH, and chemical oxygen demand were also determined. The results of this study call attention to negative impacts of extinguishing water on the environment. It is necessary to pay attention to prevention and thus eliminate potential risks. If environmental contamination can no longer be prevented, the spread of contaminated water must at least be reduced.

Identification Methodology for Chemical Warehouses Dealing with Flammable Substances Capable of Causing Firewater Pollution

“…Hybska, H. and co-authors dealt with the examination of the toxic effects of the firewater in detail and concluded that if environmental contamination can no longer be prevented, the spread of contaminated firewater must at least be reduced [41]. Vanessa, C. Erazo-Chamorro, et al, in their article, assess the information about security risk factors and necessary safety requirements for a safe workplace [42].…”

A novel modified nano-alumina composite sol for potential application in forest firefighting

“…4,5 The previous literature reported that addition of soluble chemical additives (surfactant and phosphorus-nitrogen active salts) could remarkably improve the re-ghting performance, owing to the improved wetting, penetrating, and active free radical quenching ability surrounded the surface fuels. 6,7 Nevertheless, such extinguishing agents cannot form a compact carbonaceous protective layer on the solid fuel substrates, which limits their re suppression efficiency.…”

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“…The fact that it is a material that does not resist heat must be considered (Preventing fires in baled hay and straw 2012; Štulajter et al 2015;Čekovská et al 2017;Marková et al 2018b;SDSU Extension 2020). The impact of burning and fire suppression on aquatic and terrestrial environments also requires attention (Veľková et al 2019;Hybská et al 2020Hybská et al , 2022.…”