Case Study – Firetruck Transition with Simultaneous on-Site PFAS Destruction by Meng Wang ARFF NEWS (CONT) ARFF NEWS
The options for transitioning fire trucks from using traditional aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) that contain per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to using newer fluorine-free foams (F3) is a topic of interest to many fire and public safety professionals these days. Progressive regulatory measures such as the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act to phase out purchase and usage of AFFF, the lack of readily available AFFF, and public opinion drive the need to transition to F3. However, truck downtime, cost, worker exposure to PFAS, and transportation of waste off site are just a few of the potential hurdles to making the transition. One additional consideration is the level of truck cleanliness after decon. If a truck is not cleaned thoroughly during transition, the rebound (or release) of residual PFAS over time from foam tank walls, piping, nozzles and other truck parts can cross- contaminate new F3 that is used in the truck. Release of the PFAS-contaminated foam into soil, surface water and groundwater in the area of the fire is then a potential environmental compliance issue. Case Study Objectives For this case study, Enspired Solutions conducted a decon demonstration on an Oshkosh TA-1500 truck at Tyndall Airforce Base that illustrates several advances in transition options. The objectives of the demonstration were to maximize PFAS desorption from truck interior surfaces, minimize the potential for rebound, minimize the volume
of wastewater generated, destroy PFAS on site, and leave zero waste on site after project completion. The work was done using the PFASigator® PFAS destruction equipment. Case Study Highlights • Simultaneously decontaminated PFAS-impacted truck parts and destroyed PFAS in the rinse water on site • Used only 120 gallons of water • No PFAS was disposed off site • No PFAS waste was left on site • Minimized rebound potential by removing and destroying 16.8 grams of PFAS using PFASigator- firetruck recirculation setup, this is 20 times more PFAS than was removed by a single-rinse • Rebound of total PFAS was at low parts per billion (ppb) levels 12 days after refilling the decontaminated foam tank with clean water • Completed decon and destruction process in less than 48 hours Demonstration Project Design The PFASigator uses ultra-violet light (UV) and a patented chemistry known as photo-activated reductive defluorination (PRD) to breakdown PFAS molecules into
Figure 1 - Alignment of the PFASigator Trailer (left) with the Oshkosh TA-1500 Firetruck (right) at Tyndall Airforce Base, Panama City, FL.
12 MAY- JUNE 2025 | ARFF NEWS
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