This document discusses the background and future of fluorosurfactants and aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). It notes that 3M withdrew from producing light water AFFFs in 2000 due to environmental concerns about their fluorosurfactant degrading into PFOS and PFOA, which are bioaccumulative, persistent and toxic. Most other manufacturers use telomer-based fluorosurfactants, which do not contain PFOS, but it is unknown if they degrade into PFOA. The document outlines legislation restricting PFOS and PFOA and the transition to C6 telomer-based fluorosurfactants, which are not expected to degrade into PFOA. Foam

1. TELOMER
FLUOROSURFACTANTS

2. Background…
In May 2000,
3M unexpectedly announced
it was withdrawing from the
manufacture of
Light Water AFFF’s
AFFF = Aqueous Film Forming Foam

3. Background…
Research had shown
that the 3M fluorosurfactant
used in Light Water Foams
had an environmental concern…

4. Background…
They were known to
degrade in the environment
to:
● PFOS
● PFOA
Perfluorooctyl sulfonate
Perfluorooctanoic acid

5. Background…
● PFOS
● PFOA
&
are:
● Bioaccumulative
● Persistent
● Toxic

6. Background…
Unlike 3M,
almost all foam manufacturers
use a process of telomerization
which produces a
telomer-based
fluorosurfactant

7. Background…
It is known that
Telomer-based fluorosurfactants
do not contain PFOS
It is not known
if they degrade into
PFOA

8. Background…
If they do degrade into PFOA,
they too would be classed as
● Bioaccumulative
● Persistent
● Toxic

9. Telomer Research…
In 2003,
an EPA Work Group concluded:
Telomer-based AFFF agents
● are not made with PFOA
● contain no
PFOA-based
product

10. Telomer Research…
PFOA is an
eight carbon molecule (C8)
Most telomer-based flurosurfactants
are derived from
six carbon molecules (C6)

11. Telomer Research…
There is no known pathway
for C6 flurosurfactants
to break down into PFOA
The EPA Work Group concluded:

12. Telomer Research…
However…
This was considered to be
incomplete research
● some telomer molecules
with a carbon chain
greater than C6
are currently
used in some AFFF’s
, as:

13. In Europe :
International
Legislation…
● the manufacture of PFOS-
based Foams is now prohibited
● any remaining
stock is to be
removed from use
by June 2011

14. In Europe :
International
Legislation…
● the EU is committed in
the future to assessing
substitutes to PFOS-based foams
including
telomer-based foams

15. However :
International
Legislation…
as telomer-based
foams do not contain PFOS
no restriction
is placed on
their continued use

16. Buncefield Disaster
Hertfordshire Oil Storage Terminal
11th
December 2005

17. In the USA,
Fluorotelomer & fluorosurfactant
manufacturers are required:
● by 2010
International
Legislation…
to reduce by 95%
emissions & product content of
● PFOA
● chemicals that can
degrade to PFOA

18. In the USA,
International
Legislation…
Fluorotelomer & fluorosurfactant
manufacturers are required:
● by 2015
to achieve elimination
of production of
● PFOA
● chemicals that can
degrade to PFOA

19. As mentioned,
The move to C6 &
environmentally friendly
fluorosurfactants
Fluorotelomer & fluorosurfactant
manufacturers in the USA are
committed to remove
● all chemicals containing PFOA
● all chemicals
that can
degrade to PFOA

20. As a result,
The move to C6 &
environmentally friendly
fluorosurfactants
Telomer molecules with a
carbon chain greater than C6
will effectively
no longer be
available for use

21. The move to C6 &
environmentally friendly
fluorosurfactants
As discussed,
research to date has concluded:
There is no known pathway
for C6 flurosurfactants
to break down into PFOA

22. The move to C6 &
environmentally friendly
fluorosurfactants
Accordingly, the way is now clear
for foam manufacturers to begin
developing AFFF’s
with C6 fluorosurfactant
telomer molecules

23. Conclusion:
What does
the future hold ?

24. The future :
Requalifications
Foam Manufacturers,
including Oil Technics,
are researching & developing
C6-based AFFF formulations

25. The future :
Requalifications
These new formulations
must meet International Standards:
● UL 162
● EN 1568
● ICAO Level B
● MIL-F 24385F

26. The future :
Requalifications
It is expected
that the new foams
will require to be
requalified for these
International Standards:

27. The future :
Requalifications
Achieving the
International Standards
assures users that
the new C6 foams
are as effective as existing
Fire Fighting Foams

28. The future :
Protein Foams
Currently,
C6 telomers for certain
Protein Foam formulations
have not been developed … yet !

29. The future :
Foam Training
Current
recommendations remain:
& System Calibration
use Fluorine Free
Mimic / Training Foam
for
● Onshore Training
● System Calibration

30. The future :
… are you ?

31. … any questions ?
Thanks
for listening