Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-free aqueous film forming foam formulations: Chemical composition and biodegradation in an aerobic environment

Gharehveran, Mahsa Modiri; Walus, Alexandria M.; Anderson, Todd A.; Subbiah, Seenivasan; Guelfo, Jennifer L.; Frigon, Matthew; Longwell, Anna; Suski, Jamie G.

doi:10.1016/j.jece.2022.108953

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…These products were stored in the dark at room temperature. The test foams were formulated liquid products containing primarily water and various constituents listed on the safety data sheets and/or verified analytically (Gharehveran et al, 2022; Hossain et al, 2022; Shojaei et al, 2022; Supporting Information, SI 1). While the military specification requirements for new foams and the normal application rate for PFAS‐based AFFFs are both 3%, a 5‐day water avoidance trial employing adult male/female bird pairs was conducted by Hossain et al (2022) using three different percentages of Buckeye (0.5%, 1.5%, and 3%).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the Chronic Reproductive Toxicity of a Fluorine‐Free Firefighting Foam and a Short‐Chain Fluorinated Foam to Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus)

Hossain,

Dennis,

Karnjanapiboonwong

et al. 2023

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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The development of fluorine‐free firefighting foams has been proposed as a way to reduce the adverse environmental consequences of foams containing per‐ and poly‐fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). While there are likely fewer environmental and ecological concerns with these new fluorine‐free foams in terms of persistence and bioaccumulation, it is prudent to evaluate the ecotoxicity of these fluorine‐free foam products given the absence of data. Oral chronic drinking water exposure studies on adult pairs of northern bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus) were conducted with a short‐chain fluorinated and a fluorine‐free foam: Buckeye Platinum Plus C6 and National Foam Avio Green KHC, respectively, at three exposure concentrations (0.01%, 0.1% and 0.25%). Adults were monitored for survival, growth, and reproductive output and chicks were monitored for survival and growth. Growth parameters in adult quail were not affected by exposure to the Buckeye or Avio foams. However, liver lipid content was higher in adult males exposed to both the Buckeye foam or the Avio foam at the highest exposure concentrations. Chicks were heavier and had higher growth rates after adult exposure to Avio at the highest exposure level (0.25%) and to Buckeye at the 2 lowest exposure levels, but not at the highest exposure level. The two adverse reproductive effects observed from avian exposure to Buckeye were an increased percentage of cracked eggs and earlier arrested embryonic development. Similarly, chronic exposure to Avio also induced earlier arrested embryonic development. These results show that the fluorine‐free foam tested did cause toxicity to bobwhite quail, but whether they pose a risk at contaminated sites requires further laboratory and field study, and additional exposure data.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the Chronic Reproductive Toxicity of a Fluorine‐Free Firefighting Foam and a Short‐Chain Fluorinated Foam to Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus)

Hossain,

Dennis,

Karnjanapiboonwong

et al. 2023

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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“…Research into the environmental impacts of F3 is a relatively new field, with the first peer-reviewed papers on the topic published only in the past couple of years. At present, the available ecotoxicological data on foam formulations are limited to studies on acute toxicity in 14 freshwater and marine aquatic species, acute toxicity in one terrestrial invertebrate ( Caenorhabditis elegans ), acute oral toxicity in one avian species (northern bobwhite quail), phytotoxicity in one plant species ( Brassica rapa ), and aerobic biodegradation . This limited body of research suggests that further investigation is needed to fully understand the environmental impacts of these foams, particularly when compared to the long-term effects of AFFF.…”

Section: Environmental Impacts Of F3: Current Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This latter type of assessment relies on chemical and compositional information disclosed by the manufacturer in a safety data sheet (SDS) or extensive analysis to characterize unknown components. 58,59,61,69 In general, more is known about the acute toxicity of individual components in F3, but there is limited information available on their chronic, reproductive, and developmental toxicity (Figure 4). 70 Fate and Biodegradation.…”

Section: Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…70 Fate and Biodegradation. Gharehveran et al 59 conducted research on the fate and biodegradation of F3 and found that they are mostly readily biodegradable. However, they did not examine the biodegradation products of these foams.…”

Section: Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, it is important to distinguish between toxicity tests on a foam, formulation, or product and toxicological assessments based on individual components or constituents. This latter type of assessment relies on chemical and compositional information disclosed by the manufacturer in a safety data sheet (SDS) or extensive analysis to characterize unknown components. ,,, In general, more is known about the acute toxicity of individual components in F3, but there is limited information available on their chronic, reproductive, and developmental toxicity (Figure ). …”

Section: Environmental Impacts Of F3: Current Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sunrise of PFAS Replacements: A Perspective on Fluorine-Free Foams

Ateia

Buren

Barrett

et al. 2023

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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One type of firefighting foam, referred to as aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF), is known to contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The concerns raised with PFAS, and their potential environmental and health impacts, have led to a surge in research on fluorine-free alternatives both in the United States and globally. Particularly, in January 2023, a new military specification (MIL-PRF-32725) for fluorine-free foam was released in accordance with Congressional requirements for the U.S. Department of Defense. This paper provides a critical analysis of the present state of the various fluorine-free options that have been developed to date. A nuanced perspective of the challenges and opportunities of more sustainable replacements is explored by examining the performance, cost, and regulatory considerations associated with these fluorine-free alternatives. Ultimately, this evaluation shows that the transition to fluorine-free replacements is likely to be complex and multifaceted, requiring careful consideration of the trade-offs involved. Yet, the ongoing work will provide valuable insights for future research on alternatives to AFFF and enhancing the safety and sustainability of fire suppression systems.

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Phytoremediation Potential of Azolla filiculoides: Uptake and Toxicity of Seven Per‐ and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) at Environmentally Relevant Water Concentrations

Lintern,

Scarlett,

Gagnon

et al. 2024

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Environmental contamination of aquatic systems by per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has generated significant health concerns. Remediation of contaminated sites such as the fire‐fighting emergency training grounds that use aqueous film‐forming foams is a high priority. Phytoremediation may help play a part in removing PFAS from such contaminated waters. We investigated the potential of the water fern Azolla filiculoides, which is used for phytoremediation of a wide range of contaminants, to uptake seven common PFAS (perfluorobutanoic acid [PFBA], perfluorobutane sulfonic acid [PFBS], perfluoroheptanoic acid [PFHpA], perfluorohexanoic acid [PFHxA], perfluorohexane sulfonic acid [PFHxS], perfluorooctanoic acid [PFOA], and perfluoropentanoic acid [PFPeA]), during a 12‐day exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations delivered as equimolar mixtures: low (∑PFAS = 0.0123 ± 1.89 μmol L−1), medium (∑PFAS = 0.123 ± 2.88 μmol L−1), and high (∑PFAS = 1.39 μmol L−1) treatments, equivalent to approximately 5, 50, and 500 µg L−1 total PFAS, respectively. The possible phytotoxic effects of PFAS were measured at 3‐day intervals using chlorophyll a content, photosystem II efficiency (Fv/Fm), performance index, and specific growth rate. The PFAS concentrations in plant tissue and water were also measured every 3 days using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography—tandem mass spectrometry. Treatments with PFAS did not lead to any detectable phytotoxic effects. All seven PFAS were detected in plant tissue, with the greatest uptake occurring during the first 6 days of exposure. After 12 days of exposure, a maximum bioconcentration factor was recorded for PFBA of 1.30 and a minimum of 0.192 for PFBS. Consequently, the application of Azolla spp. as a stand‐alone system for phytoremediation of PFAS in aquatic environments is not sufficient to substantially reduce PFAS concentrations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1–12. © 2024 The Author(s). Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-free aqueous film forming foam formulations: Chemical composition and biodegradation in an aerobic environment

Cited by 10 publications

References 33 publications

Evaluation of the Chronic Reproductive Toxicity of a Fluorine‐Free Firefighting Foam and a Short‐Chain Fluorinated Foam to Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus)

Evaluation of the Chronic Reproductive Toxicity of a Fluorine‐Free Firefighting Foam and a Short‐Chain Fluorinated Foam to Northern Bobwhite Quail (Colinus virginianus)

Sunrise of PFAS Replacements: A Perspective on Fluorine-Free Foams

Phytoremediation Potential of Azolla filiculoides: Uptake and Toxicity of Seven Per‐ and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) at Environmentally Relevant Water Concentrations

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