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In-Situ Burning an Update
Published in Merv Fingas, In-Situ Burning for Oil Spill Countermeasures, 2018
It is recommended that fire-extinguishing equipment be available during the burn. One dedicated fire-extinguishing equipment vessel should be positioned beside the boom containing the burn. During burn operations at sea, those who must be near the burn, such as the tow-boat operators, can be protected by ensuring that fire monitors of sufficient capacity are available. These monitors can be left on to ensure they are ready if needed. Extra fire monitors and experienced crews should be available on the surveillance vessel to assist if a fire spreads. The fire can also be extinguished by using a firefighting foam made for liquid fuel fires. To ensure safety, at least two of these extinguishing methods should be ready at a burn site. When burning is done close to shore, fire trucks and crews can be stationed at strategic points on land to fight unwanted secondary fires.
Fluorine Free Foams
Published in David M. Kempisty, LeeAnn Racz, Forever Chemicals, 2021
Ian Ross, Peter Storch, Ted Schaefer, Niall Ramsden
It was noted that the Stockholm Convention Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee recently recommended “not to replace fire-fighting foam that contained or may contain PFOA, its salts and PFOA-related compounds with short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) due to their persistency and mobility as well as potential negative environmental, human health and socioeconomic impacts” (UN Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants 2019).
Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA): Environmental Sources, Chemistry, Toxicology, and Potential Risks
Published in Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal, 2019
Christopher M. Teaf, Michele M. Garber, Douglas J. Covert, Bruce J. Tuovila
PFAS possess unique abilities to repel oil, grease, and water (ASTSWMO, 2015; Post et al., 2017; Vierke et al., 2012). These compounds also help reduce friction and resist temperature extremes when used in many industries including aerospace, automotive, construction, manufacturing, electronics, and textiles (ASTSWMO, 2015; ITRC, 2018). PFAS have been utilized to make surfactants used to produce fire fighting foam for many applications and mist suppressants for metal-plating operations. As a result, PFAS are found in places such as firefighting training areas, aircraft operations sites, metal-coating and -plating facilities, water treatment systems, military facilities, and airport hangers or other facilities that store and use fire fighting foams (ASTSWMO, 2015; USEPA, 2016a). In addition, PFOA is used as a surfactant and emulsifier in compounds used to coat a variety of food packaging materials, including microwave popcorn bags (Lau et al., 2007; Lindstrom et al., 2011; SWRCB, 2016) and is essential in manufacture of the fluoropolymer polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE; Teflon), which has the unusual combination of being both hydrophobic and lipophobic (EFSA, 2008; Kennedy et al., 2004; Moore, 2010). PFAS, including PFOA, can be found in everyday household products such as clothing, upholstery, paper, carpets, and nonstick cookware (USEPA, 2016c). In addition, fluorinated telomer alcohols can be converted to PFOA through biological reactions in soil, sludge, and wastewater, as well as in the human body, and also through non-biological chemical reactions in the atmosphere (Post et al., 2012).