SEATAC, Wash. — Residue from "forever chemicals," or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), is on its way out from fire trucks at the Port of Seattle Fire Department.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) said it is the first commercial airport to use a specific cleaning technology to remove forever chemicals inside parts of the truck, with other airports beginning and considering the process as well.
Once the trucks are clean, they can be replaced with PFAS-free foam.
"The [previously used] fluorine-based foam has been proved to be carcinogenic, it's a hazard to our firefighters," Port Seattle Fire Chief Randy Krause said. "My number one priority is firefighter safety, along with public safety, and it's hazardous to the environment, so getting rid of that is very important to us. Definitely as a fire chief my number one goal is to make sure my crew's safe, and this is helping with that."
Chief Krause began firefighting in 1985, before it was widely known that PFAS were present in commonly used firefighting foam. He said it's taken decades to get to the point where fluorine-based foam has been phased out and new foams adopted, and there's still work to do.
"The fluorine molecules are very persistent, so they stick to the walls, they stick to the gaskets and crevices. This company TRS has a solution that goes in and cleans it thoroughly," Krause said. "I'm hoping its 99%+ clean, just a water rinse would make it 70% clean, and that 30% residual is something I don't want my firefighters exposed to."
Awareness of PFAS, calls for regulations and clean-up efforts have increased in recent years.
After a nationwide study found forever chemicals in public drinking water, President Joe Biden's administration enacted limits on acceptable amounts. Washington state banned some packaging with PFAS, and communities are taking action to remove chemicals where possible.
The EPA said there are some ways to limit exposure to PFAS in everyday life, though it is next to impossible to eliminate all contact. Click here to view tips.