We Are Being Poisoned !

It is very comforting to passengers of airlines around the world to know that should a fire erupt on their aircraft the fire services will promptly spray great masses of fire suppressing foam and that this is good at blocking off oxygen and snuffing out the fire.   This same foam is widely used by city fire brigades in dealing with electrical fires.

After each fire incident is concluded we give little thought to what happens to the remains of that foam.  It has long been regarded as harmless and is usually hosed away with water and it eventually either soaks into the ground or travels through the drains to our rivers and harbours.

This product is poly-fluoroalkyl which is commonly known as PFAS.  The problem is that it is far from harmless and we are now encountering reports of cancer clusters in areas where tests reveal a high concentration of PFAS in the soil.  In particular, this risk is prevalent near airports and around defence facilities sites and these are scattered widely in this country.  At least ninety sites are being investigated for elevated levels of poly-fluoroalkyl FPAS  chemicals.

A doubt is being expressed about the safety of recreational fishing in Botany bay.  The Cooks river circles Sydney airport and empties into Botany bay and it is quite evident that this foam residue may have entered the food chain.  It has been widely used as a fire suppressant for a very long period of time and the contamination will now be widespread.  People living in close proximity to airports have a reason to worry.

It is likely that there will be fishing bans and residents will be warned to refrain from growing and eating vegetables in suspect soil. It may have an influence on house prices not only near airports but anywhere where industries may have had a fire risk attended by use of this foam.  Even a car fire in a suburban street would usually be quelled in this way.

There will also be an urgency in developing a replacement for PFAS.  Unfortunately, the mixture of chemicals is not always immediately apparent as to what risk factor is involved.  It has taken decades for the harm PFAS can cause to become evident and it is such an important fire suppressant that its use can not stop immediately.

It seems certain that the fire industry will now use PFAS as a last resort and where possible will fight firers in other ways.  It all depends on how quickly a safe replacement can be developed, but the public may be alert and watchful as to what technical substances are being deployed in their neighbourhoods.

Too often new products are coming to market without their full implications being known !