US Military Discovers Dangers of AFFF in 1973
Did you know the dangers of using AFFF were discovered almost 50 years ago?
Syracuse, New York, Armed Forces plaque on permanent display at the New York State Fairgrounds
In June 1972 through August 1973, the Air Force Weapons Laboratory (DEE) tested the treatability of three AFFF foams: the Lightwater FC-200 from 3M, the Aerowater 3% from National Foam Company and the Aerowater 6% from National Foam Company. The focus of the study was on the biodegradability and hazards of disposing of AFFFs. Over the year of study a wide array of tests were conducted including oxidation pond experiments, activated sludge experiments, trickling filter experiments, adsorption experiments, and toxicity experiments.
What did they discover? Quite a lot about the strength of the carbon-fluorine bond.
The study found that it is extremely difficult and not practical to break down (biodegrade) AFFFs when they are the only source of organic matter. As the study stated, “the fluorocarbon surfactant…is at best only partially biodegradable.” They further reported that the fluorocarbon bonds will not oxidize.
This report marks the beginning of many concerning and alarming discoveries about the dangers of using and disposing of AFFF.
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