ECT2 (“the Company”), a Montrose Environmental Group company, announced today they have completed the first Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle foam cleanout of PFAS-laden firefighting foam and transition to a fluorine-free foam in the state of Florida, working with the Naples Airport Authority (NAA).
Aqueous firefighting foams (AFFF) have been widely used for decades to combat fuel and oil fires due to their effectiveness and ease of application. However, it was later discovered that AFFF contains perfluorooctyl sulfonate (PFOS), a synthetic chemical in the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) group. PFOS is toxic to aquatic life and has been found in human and animal blood worldwide, raising significant health concerns.
Production of PFOS was halted in the early 2000s, and efforts to phase out 44 different firefighting foams and components began. However, AFFF continued to be used until a safer, equally effective alternative could be developed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been collaborating with the United States Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create and test new, environmentally friendly fluorine-free foam formulas. In January and September 2023, the FAA issued guidance to Part 139 certificated airports on new military specifications for fluorine-free aircraft fire-fighting foam (F3), and in May 2024, provided transition guidance based on the Department of Defense’s research.
With the approval of new PFAS free firefighting foams on the Qualified Products List (QPL), the FAA has given airports across the country an alternative to PFAS-laden AFFF. Airports can now conduct AFFF exchanges on Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles to comply with evolving regulations, protect the environment, and enhance safety. The Department of Defense has mandated the transition from PFAS-containing foams to fluorine-free alternatives due to the significant health and environmental risks associated with PFAS. The FAA and many states are following that guidance and instituting their own transition requirements.
ECT2 mobilized to the Naples Airport in June 2024 and performed a clean out and transition of two ARFF vehicles within the airport’s fire station. The Company’s proprietary process and solvent, which is based on over 30 blends of cleaning chemistry and methodology, collected, and removed PFAS-laden foam residue and concentrated it for off-site disposal, preventing any release of contaminants into the environment.
“We are grateful for the expertise of our partners that have helped the NAA to be an environmental leader in Florida while ensuring we continue to provide exceptional firefighting services for our customers and community,” said NAA Executive Director Chris Rozansky.
David Kempisty, ECT2’s Director of Emerging Contaminants stated, “These are the types of projects we excel at. To date, we've treated over nine billion gallons of PFAS-impacted water, and in doing so, have acquired a lot of experience with what works and what doesn't. For the Naples Airport Authority AFFF effort, we started in the lab, identified a cleaning solution with better performance characteristics than conventional tap water, and then optimized the process dialing in the right temperatures and times. From 'a concept' to project completion, finding solutions to today's environmental challenges - that's what makes this work satisfying.”
