Wednesday 8th January 2025

AFFF foam fire extinguishers are commonly found in many premises across the UK including offices, schools, warehouses, shops and public buildings due to their unique fire-fighting capabilities. However, AFFF foam extinguishers contain harmful Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) chemicals, and as a result, businesses in the UK are now facing increased costs to properly dispose of these extinguishers before tighter restrictions are introduced. The cost to clean up toxic PFAS pollution could top £1.6tn in UK and Europe according to The Guardian. In this blog, we’ll explore why these extinguishers are being phased out, what’s driving up AFFF foam extinguisher disposal costs, and how businesses can switch to safer, eco-friendly alternatives.

Understanding the Environmental Impact of PFAS

PFAS chemicals found in an AFFF foam fire extinguisher are harmful to the environment and living organisms. Toxic PFAS substances enter our ecosystems, accumulating in water, food, and air. These are slow to degrade and are also known as ‘forever chemicals’ meaning they remain in the environment for a long time.

Humans run the risk of increased cholesterol, lowered immune systems, and damage to liver, thyroid and heart if they ingest compounds such as PFOA or PHFxA. PFAS chemicals are also carcinogenic (cancer causing) and can cause irreparable damage to foetuses.

UK Legislation on PFAS Chemicals

Older AFFF foam extinguishers containing PFOA (C8), part of a sub-group of PFAS, have been subject to legislation since 2020 in the UK and EU.  There are now calls for action from various bodies for the UK Government to introduce further restrictions on the manufacture, distribution and use of substances containing Poly and Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS). At the time of writing, the Poly and Perfluorinated Alkyl Substances (Guidance) Bill has had its first reading in the House of Commons. This bill calls on the Chief Inspector of Drinking Water to issue guidance to water companies on PFAS in drinking water. This follows studies on the prevalence of these chemicals in water courses in the UK.

The HSE has also held a consultation on PFAS earlier in the year and is now considering the results before taking action. The action is expected to result in another 40 PFAS substances being registered with UK Reach for regulations. PFHxA (C6), which is used in newer AFFF foam extinguishers and water additive extinguishers is expected to be amongst this list of substances which will soon be subject to restrictions. This follows a broader global trend, with the European Union leading the charge on PFAS restrictions.

Following the forthcoming announcement of the regulations surrounding the use of PFAS fire-fighting foams, any business that continues to use these extinguishers may risk falling foul of compliance requirements in the future.

Businesses could face increased disposal costs

Beyond regulatory pressures, the cost of managing AFFF foam extinguisher disposal is rising. Earlier this year (March 2024) the price of disposing of AFFF foam fire extinguishers was roughly £2-£3 per unit. In October 2024, prices are £8-£9 per unit.

The safe handling and destruction of PFAS foam is a complex process that few facilities in the UK are equipped to handle. This mean costs are likely to increase further as more organisations begin to phase out their old AFFF foam fire extinguisher models. There are currently only 3 facilities in the UK equipped to deal with disposal and demand is likely to soar when further regulatory measures are announced.

Eco-Friendly Alternatives to AFFF Foam

Businesses are being encouraged to switch to eco-friendly fire extinguisher alternatives, such as fluorine-free foam and water mist. These options provide effective fire protection without the environmental impact associated with older AFFF extinguishers that contain harmful PFAS chemicals.

P50 fire extinguishers are a sustainable fire-fighting choice, offering a low-energy manufacturing process. They are refillable, are manufactured from recyclable materials, and have a corrosion-proof design suitable for harsh outdoor conditions. By switching to P50 fire extinguishers, you will be reducing you carbon footprint and contributing to your environmental initiatives. Organisations who switch to P50 extinguishers also see substantial cost savings over the guaranteed 10-year lifespan.

Read our blog on alternatives to AFFF foam extinguishers for more information.

How to dispose of AFFF foam

AFFF foam fire extinguisher disposal involves high-temperature incineration of the AFFF media. Businesses or organisations should utilise certified disposal services to safely eliminate their AFFF extinguishers, to protect the environment and ensure compliance with UK regulations. As more companies phase out AFFF foam, disposal services will become increasingly expensive and harder to secure (as we’ve already started to see).

Spreading the cost of replacing AFFF foam extinguishers

At Safelincs, we understand that transitioning can seem daunting. As part of our service to help you switch to environmentally friendly alternatives, we will safely and responsibly dispose of your AFFF fire extinguishers. Businesses can start replacing AFFF foam fire extinguishers that have reached the end of their usable life now, and gradually phase out remaining units over time. This approach helps manage costs whilst ensuring compliance and environmental responsibility.
To make the process seamless, we provide free site surveys for P50 fire extinguishers and tailored recommendations for eco-friendly alternatives suited to your fire risks. You can also contact our BDM team if you would like more information about the extinguishers, or the transition.

Thursday 16th November 2023

The average person lives for 79 years and spends 70 of those years indoors – it’s no secret that people are spending more time than ever indoors with the technology we have at our disposal today. Therefore, it is more important than ever to have good indoor air quality in your home and workplace. Poor air quality has been linked to increased risk of heart disease and strokes as well as lung diseases such as COPD and cancer.

How air quality is measured

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a system that is used for reporting daily air quality. In the UK, it is measured on a scale from 1 to 10 and informs the public whether the air quality in their area is good, moderate, unhealthy, very unhealthy or hazardous. The AQI number is calculated based on the levels of 5 common air pollutants: ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide.

Indoor air quality can be measured using an indoor air quality monitor. These monitors detect the quantity of CO2 in the air, allowing you to keep track of CO2 emissions in your home. This informs you when CO2 levels get too high which would indicate you to take appropriate measures to reduce air pollution indoors.

Sources of indoor air pollution

Indoor air pollution can come from a variety of sources including from materials used in the initial construction of the building and chemicals in paint and carpets. Other actions contributing to poor air quality could include cooking, cleaning, wood stove burning, candle burning, using personal care products, moisture, keeping house plants that give off volatile chemicals, and more.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly poisonous gas that is produced when appliances such as boilers cookers, heaters, gas fires and solid fuel burners are faulty, have been incorrectly fitted, or not regularly serviced. Even a low level of carbon monoxide in your home could cause severe health problems. A CO detector is the only way to detect carbon monoxide as it is a tasteless, colourless and odorless gas. CO alarms can either be wall mounted or used as a portable device. Specific models are also tested for use when travelling and in caravans, tents or boats. A digital carbon monoxide detector will display the level of carbon monoxide in the air. Some indoor air quality monitors also monitor the presence of carbon monoxide.

There is also growing evidence that dampness and mould contribute to indoor air pollution. It has been suggested that dust mites and fungi, which favour damp environments, produce several allergens as well as toxins and irritants. This can have serious effects on respiratory health. Dampness is also an indicator of poor ventilation which may result in increased levels of a wide range of potentially harmful indoor pollutants. Today’s houses are more air tight, which is more energy efficient. But, this impacts air flow and it’s important to be mindful of the need for ventilation.

Symptoms of bad air quality

Air pollution can shorten lives and damage the quality of life for many people. You may be in a polluted environment if you experience the following symptoms: headaches, eye / nose / throat / skin irritation, watery eyes, sinus congestion, coughing, sneezing, chest pain, inflammation of airways. If you are experiencing symptoms of bad air quality, it is important to identify and remove sources of pollution.

How to prevent air pollution

There are several steps you can take to start increasing indoor air quality in your home.  You must also limit your exposure to air pollution. Here is a list of things to consider when improving air quality:

• Increase ventilation
• Always use an extractor fan and open windows while cooking
• Remove pollutant sources in your home
• Use liquid cleaners (not sprays)
• Never mix cleaning products
• Switch to electric / induction hob if possible
• Limit frying oil
• Always have gas appliances serviced each year by a gas safe engineer
• Have any chimneys swept at least once a year

Ella’s Law

Ella Roberta Adoo Kissi Debrah died at only 9 years old due to exposure of excessive air pollution in London. Since then, Ella’s law, also known as the Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill, was introduced to parliament in 2022 to urge the government to take action and bring air quality up to minimum World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.

Ella’s law would establish the right to breathe clean air as a basic human right in an attempt to stop symptoms and death from poor air quality. This would mean that public authorities must consider clean air in the way they make decisions. If you would like to see Ella’s law made official, you can get involved and sign the petition.

Air quality guidelines

For a more detailed guide to indoor air quality regulations, visit the government website.