Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are used in several industrial and consumer applications, due to their special properties like chemical and thermal stability [1]. Long-chain PFASs show persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic properties. The use of PFASs in fire fighting foam leads to the direct release of high amounts into the environment. In consequence, soil and drinking water are often contaminated resulting in high costs and long duration for remediation. Already in 2008 the Federal Environment Agency started a dialogue with fire fighters and producers of PFASs-containing fire fighting foam in Germany. The group developed a brief guideline how – if at all needed – to use PFASs containing foam [2]. Under the European chemicals regulation REACH regulatory measures exist which also address the use of long-chain PFASs in fire fighting foam: Perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids with chain lengths of 11 to 14 carbon atoms (C11-14 PFCAs) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were identified as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) and included in the REACH Candidate List. Further long-chain PFASs will follow soon. To minimize the exposure of humans and the environment Germany and Norway suggested a restriction of manufacturing, use and placing on the market of PFOA, its salts as well as substances which might degrade to PFOA (PFOA-related substances) to the European Union [3]. Such a restriction would also ban the use of PFOA and PFOA-related substances in fire fighting foam - details will be presented. In fire fighting foam and other uses long-chain PFASs are substituted by short-chain PFASs. Short-chain PFASs are persistent and mobile in the aqueous environment, which poses a threat for drinking water [4]. An in depth assessment under REACH for some of these substances is on its way. Fluorine free foam is already available on the market and should be used preferably. [1] OECD/UNEP Global PFC Group, Synthesis paper on per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), OECD Environment, Health and Safety, Environment Directorate, Paris, 2013. [2] Umweltbundesamt http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/publikationen/guide-environmentally-responsible-use-of 2013. [3] European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) http://echa.europa.eu/restrictions-under-consideration/-/substance-rev/1908/term 2014. [4] L Vierke, A Möller, S Klitzke, Environmental Pollution 2014, 186, 7-13.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: EU-regulation and dialogue with fire fighters in Germany

251st National Meeting (2016)

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