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Background

Developed in the 1930鈥檚, the fluorinated family of chemical compounds can repel water and grease. These properties led to their use in aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) and bunker gear. Nicknamed 鈥渇orever chemicals鈥, fluorinated substances do not break down within the environment or when absorbed into the body. There are thousands of fluorinated chemicals in use today.

The most common trade names found in firefighting products are:

  • PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate or C-8)
  • PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid)
  • fluorinated surfactant

These chemicals belong to the larger class of fluorochemicals referred to as per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) which contain carbon atoms that are completely saturated by fluorine.

Concerns/hazards

According to the , research suggests exposure to some PFAS might result in harmful health outcomes, including:

  • cancer
  • increased cholesterol levels
  • immune system effects

The concludes that 鈥淧erfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B).""

Research is ongoing.

Actions for employers

Employers must provide information, instruction and supervision to a worker to protect the health or safety of the worker.

Employers should use a risk/benefit analysis and the hierarchy of controls to determine if products containing PFAS can either be:

  • substituted
  • eliminated
  • have their use reduced

Considerations

Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF)

Consider the following, with respect to AFFF:

  • transition to PFAS free foams where appropriate
  • use appropriate PPE (such as eye protection, gloves and respiratory protection) when handling foam containing PFAS, per safety data sheets and manufacturer鈥檚 recommendations
  • evaluate the situation before applying fluorinated foams, and minimize exposure of personnel

Bunker gear

PFAS is found in materials used to make water repellent layers of bunker gear. To reduce potential exposure, consider the following precautions:

  • transition to PFAS-free products as they become available
  • limit bunker gear use to situations where it is required to be worn as PPE (for example, do not use bunker gear during public education activities and consider whether bunker gear is necessary during routine medical calls or physical fitness activities)
  • appropriately dispose of bunker gear to prevent the repurposing of bunker gear for personal products (for example: bags)
  • store bunker gear appropriately as per the firefighter鈥檚 cancer prevention checklist
  • routinely clean bunker gear storage and cleaning areas as per the firefighter鈥檚 cancer prevention checklist
  • use appropriate PPE (such as N95 respirator and rubber gloves) when handling contaminated bunker gear

Applicable regulations and acts

  • Occupational Health and Safety Act
    • clause 25(2)(a) for providing information and instruction to a worker
    • clause 25(2)(d) for making workers aware of hazards
    • clause 25(2)(h) for taking every precaution reasonable to protect workers

Relevant standards

Read Fire Fighting for information on minimum levels of protection from thermal, physical, environmental, and bloodborne pathogen hazards encountered during structural and proximity fire fighting operations.

Read for information on the selection, care, and maintenance of fire fighting protective ensembles to reduce health and safety risks associated with improper maintenance, contamination, or damage.

Related

Firefighter鈥檚 cancer prevention checklist

Read about on the Government of Canada website.

Read to find out about the Government of Canada鈥檚 work related to PFOS.