transportation research boardonlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/webinars/170912.pdf2017/09/12 ·...

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

2:00pm to 3:30pm ET

Use and Potential Impacts of Aqueous Film-Forming Foams at Airports

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD

Purpose

Discuss ACRP Report 173: Use and Potential Impacts of AFFF Containing PFASs at Airports.

Learning Objectives At the end of this webinar, you will be able to:

• Understand the potential risks associated with PFASs,

especially with respect to AFFF. • Identify the best AFFF management practices for managing

AFFF and addressing PFAS-related environmental impacts • Discuss the MAPA Screening Tool

http://www.trb.org/main/blurbs/175866.aspx

ACRP is an Industry-Driven Program

✈ Managed by TRB and sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

✈ Seeks out the latest issues facing the airport industry.

✈ Conducts research to find solutions.

✈ Publishes and disseminates research results through free publications and webinars.

Opportunities to Get Involved!

✈ ACRP’s Champion program is designed to help early- to mid-career, young professionals grow and excel within the airport industry.

✈ Airport industry executives sponsor promising young professionals within their organizations to become ACRP Champions.

✈ Visit ACRP’s website to learn more.

Upcoming ACRP Webinars

September 14 Understanding Stormwater Management

Requirements for Airports

October 17

Advancing the Aviation Industry Workforce

November 1 Assessing Community Annoyance with

Helicopter Noise

Additional ACRP Publications Available on this Topic

Synthesis 24: Strategies and Financing Opportunities for Airport Environmental Programs Synthesis 44: Environmental Management System Development Process Report 43: A Guidebook for Improving Environmental Performance at Small Airports Report 135: Understanding Air Quality and Public Health Studies Related to Airports

Today’s Speakers

Andrew Thalheimer and Indra Kalinovich Dillon Consulting Limited

Presenting Report 173 Use and Potential Impacts of Aqueous Film-

Forming Foams (AFFF) Containing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)

at Airports

ACRP Research Report 173: Use and Potential Impacts of AFFF Containing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl

Substances (PFASs) at Airports

Andrew Thalheimer, P.Eng.

Indra Kalinovich, PhD, EIT, C.Chem Dillon Consulting Limited

Why ACRP 02-60?

The Dayton Daily News| Sep 12, 2016 Firefighting Foam linked to water contamination, injuries under fire

NBC News | May 17, 2016 US Air Force to change fire forms due to water contamination near Colorado Springs

UC Berkeley News| Aug 9 2016 Cancer-causing chemical in drinking water traced to fire-fighting foam

NBC News | May 17, 2016 Toxic chemical linked to firefighting foam found in Bay Area water

ACRP 02-60 Research Program Research Objective:

Develop a reference document geared for airport laypersons on what is currently known and not known about PFASs and their use in AFFF at airports.

Research Components: • Primer

Survey Screening Tool Sampling and Analysis for PFASs Assessment AFFF Alternatives Remediation Options Evaluation Recommendations for Further Research

Research Methodology

Definition of Life Cycle

Compiling Data from

Literature & Survey

Development of Screening

Tool

AFFF Lifecycle Stages at an Airport 5

Procurement Storage

Maintenance

Use/Testing

Training

Discharge to Environment

Containment

Treatment/ Off-Site Disposal

Application Disposal Procurement Storage

Airport Survey Goals

• Ascertain management practices for AFFF life-cycle stages

• Determine best management practices for preventing spills

• Understand how airports are addressing legacy environmental impacts

• Assess awareness of alternative formulations of AFFF

DISTRIBUTION OF RESPONSES BY AIRPORT SIZE CATEGORY

Unduplicated Valid Sample

Completed Interviews

Percent of Sample

Category A 48 40 83%

Category B 29 22 76%

Category C 90 69 77%

Category D 28 19 68%

Category E 30 17 57%

Total 225 167 74%

Primer

“Firefighter training in Djibouti, August 2011” by US Army Africa is licensed under CC BY 2.0

What are PFASs? Unique Properties:

Functional Group (e.g., carboxylate, sulfonate)

Alkyl chain (of C-F atoms), typically 2 to 16 carbon atoms

• Carbon-Fluorine Bond • Dual Nature • Chain Length

• Pre-cursors • Co-Mingling • Low Vapour Pressure

Contaminant Levels time

Biomagnification

Bioaccumulation

Environmental Concerns Persistance

Toxicological Properties

• Readily Adsorbed via Ingestion • Slow Elimination • Accumulate in Blood, Kidney, Liver • Potential Developmental, Reproductive and

Systemic Effects • Potentially Carcinogenic – High Correlation

Where do PFAS come from?

AFFF MANAGEMENT WITHIN AIRPORT

OPERATIONS


Procurement Storage

Maintenance

Use/Testing

Training


Containment



Procurement 14

MOST IMPORTANT CRITERIA FOR AFFF PROCUREMENT

Percent

Compliance with Government Regulations 66

Cost or Price 37

Handled by a Purchasing Agent/Other Agency 8

Availability of Sufficient Quantities 7

Required to Use a List of Vendors provided by the Military/DOD/State/City 7

Consistency of Brand to Avoid Mixing Brands and Resulting Compatibility Issues 4

Availability In a Timely Manner 3

Environmental Considerations 2

State of the Practice

Procurement Best Management Practices

• U.S.: 14 CFR Part 139, FAA Guidance Documents, US EPA PFOA Stewardship Program, MIL-SPEC (MIL-F-24385)

• Canada: Canadian Aviation Regulations (SCC: CAN/ULC-S560-06, Std. Category 3 AFFF Liquid Concentrate), Perfluorooctane Sulfonate and Its Salts and Certain Compounds Regulations

Comply with Legislation, Regulation

and/or Guidance

•Meet Firefighting Foam Performance Standards in your country •Is a 3% or 6% foam concentrate AFFF Performance

• Do not purchase PFOS-based AFFF • Do not use AFFF that has >=C8 fluorotelomers • Select AFFF that contains C6-based fluorotelomers where available

Environmental Considerations

• Determine compatibility of concentrate with existing equipment • Check compatibility of any new foam with previous foam type/batch • Select 3% foam concentrates when compatibility with equipment allows

System and Equipment Compatibility


Procurement Storage

Maintenance

Use/Testing

Training


Containment



Storage

3.89 3.86

3.16 1.47

3.84 1.04 1.09

0 1 2 3 4 5

Are Enclosed

Are Covered

Are Single Containment

Are Double Containment

Have a Cement or Concrete Floor

Have an Earth or Gravel Floor

Are in Underground Storage Tank

Means


Double Containment: 82.5% of Category A airports do NOT use double containment, where 21.1% of Category D airports DO use double containment.

Storage Store in Specific Types of Storage Containers •Recommended container types (original shipping container, drums, double walled ASTs) •Recommended materials (double-walled stainless steel, high density cross-linked polyethylene, reinforced fiberglass polyester with a vinyl ester resin)

•Labeled containers with type and concentration of AFFF

Store Under Specific Conditions •As prescribed in a product information sheet (sealed, secured, within specific temperature range)

•In a facility/environment designated and designed for storage (roofed/sheltered, bunded storage, on level ground, etc.)

Store Reserve Quantities •As directed by the FAA or Transport Canada

Best Management Practices

19

Procurement Storage

Maintenance

Use/Testing

Training


Containment



AFFF Lifecycle Stages at an Airport

Application - Handling

92.2 95.2

37.7 40.7

88 79 81.1

0 20 40 60 80 100

Eye ProtectionWork GlovesNitrile Gloves

Other One-Time-Use GlovesSafety Boots

Fire-Retardant ClothingTurnout Gear

Percent Yes


Application - Spill Prevention Use Caution/Attend To Detail 22% Use Containment/Containers 22 Provide Thorough Training On Procedures 16 Make Sure Connections Are Correct/Are Tight 16 Follow Procedures 16 Use Pumps 12 Have Clear Procedures/Checklists 12 Use The Right Equipment/Make Sure Equipment Is Set Up Properly 11 Do Not Do It Alone/Involve Multiple People 10 We Have Never Had An Issue or Problem/We Don’t Spill 8 Use Safety Gear 8 Work In A Contained Area/ Closed Area/Safe Area 8 Make Safety A Priority/Use Safety Precautions 5 Maintain Trucks Well/Maintain Equipment Well 4 Make People Aware That The Goal Is Not To Have A Spill 4 Use A Closed System 4 Have Absorbent Material Available 4 Make Sure Spill Containment Is Available If Needed 1 Make People Aware Of The Foam’s Cost 1

Procedures Engineering Controls Training & Awareness

Application - Training State of the Practice

72.3% 4.7%

23.0%

Extent to which AFFF Has Been Used in Training

Exercises

Select ExercisesAll ExercisesNo Exercises

78.9%

21.1%

Disposition of the AFFF Used in Training

Discharged Containment System

Application – Foam Testing State of the Practice

Foam Testing is unilaterally conducted at airports, and most testing uses AFFF. Over 50 % of airports surveyed reported testing frequency as between every six months to once per year.

Yes 97.60%

No 2.40%

Extent to Which Airports Conduct Foam Tests

69.30%

30.70%

Disposition of the AFFF Used in Foam Tests

Discharged Containment System

Application - Use

NUMBER OF TIMES AFFF HAS BEEN USED TO FIGHT FIRES IN THE PAST TEN YEARS

Frequency Percent

1 15 12.6

2 18 15.1

3 17 14.3

4 7 5.9

5 15 12.6

6 to 10 29 24.3

More than 10 18 15.0

Yes 71%

No 29%

Extent to Which AFFF Has Been Used at

Airports for Firefighting Purposes


Application Best Management Practices

• Staff Awareness of PFASs and AFFF • Train staff and follow industry-recommend procedures.

Handling

• Follow prescribed training schedule that aligns with appropriate guidelines and regulations.

• Prepare in advance for training sessions. • Use propane in lieu of flammable hydrocarbons. • Consider alternative foam products for training. • Regional training facilities and designated training areas (with containment,

disposal methods, away from drainage facilities or water bodies)

Training

• Conduct groundpattern tests first with water (to ensureset-up). • Discharge the minimum volume of AFFF needed to test the system. • Collect discharge for storage and disposal. • Develop and employ Safety Spill Plan

System and Equipment (& Foam) Testing

Application Best Management Practices

• Incorporate containment systems into hangars, FFTAs and tarmac that capture and direct any discharged AFFF away from sensitive receptors in the environment.

Engineered Containment Systems

• Follow industry recommended practices (NFPA 402,403) • Trained and prepared personnel, with proper protective

equipment • Improve communication and response between environmental

personnel and firefighting personnel • Spill response team should be nearby to provide preliminary

containment and conduct clean-up activities as soon as practicable following emergency.

• Fire fighting team should alert environmental when deploying, moving, and/or testing AFFF.

Aircraft Rescue & Emergency Response

27

Procurement Storage

Maintenance

Use/Testing

Training

Application Procurement Storage


Containment


Disposal

AFFF Lifecycle Stages at an Airport

Disposal State of the Practice

1 2 3 4 5

Using an On-Site Wastewater ManagementSystem

Using a Municipal Sewer System

Using a Wastewater Management Contractor

Transporting It to a Landfill

Incinerating It

Letting It Infiltrate into the Soil

Means

Never Rarely Sometimes Usually Always

Compliance with Legislation, Regulation, and/or Guidance

Discharge Disposal

Industry recommended

practices (wastewater

treatment, fuel-water separator)

Removal from Equipment or Systems

Handling protocol (flushing

equipment, PPE)

Disposal at an authorized location.

Stockpile Disposal

United States – Specific facilities,

incineration

United States – Specific facilities,

incineration

Canada – Facilities with Certificates of Approval, have

operating permits from the

Province/Territory

Procurement

• Comply with Legislation, Regulation, and /or Guidance

• Foam Performance Standards

• Understand System and Equipment Compatibility

• Evaluate Environmental Considerations

Storage

• Store in Specific Types of Storage Containers

• Store Under Specific Conditions

• Store Reserve Quantities

Application

• Follow Safe Handling Procedures

• Mitigate Potential Effects Following Aircraft Rescue

• Reduce the Potential Effects During Training

• Reduce the Amount of Discharge as a Result of Equipment and System Testing

• Mitigate through Aircraft Hangar Design

Disposal

• Follow Guidance on Discharge Disposal

• Follow Protocol to Remove from Equipment or Systems

• Comply with Legislation, Regulation, and/or Guidance on the Disposal of Stockpiles

Summary of Best Management Practices for Managing AFFF

MANAGING LEGACY PFAS IMPACTS

Procurement Storage

Maintenance

Use/Testing

Training


Containment




Managing Legacy PFAS Sites

Good Data Collection

Sound Laboratory Analysis

Develop Robust CSM

Manage to Current Regulations (Risk Management and Remediation)

Good Data Collection PFAS Sampling: Challenges & Mitigation

Stratification • Low-flow purging and sampling procedures

• No filtration before laboratory analysis

Sticking

• Sampling equipment and sample containers

Cross-Contamination • Sampling equipment and sample containers

• Drilling water/hydroexcavation

• Field equipment decontamination and PPE/field clothing

• Food packaging

Transformation and Degradation

• Sampling frequency

Legacy Impacts: Best Practices

Sampling

• Use low-flow purging and sampling procedures.

• Do not filter samples prior to laboratory analysis.

• Use laboratory provided sampling containers specifically for PFAS sampling to reduce risk of “sticking”.

• Utilize specific sample collection protocols to reduce risks of cross-contamination.

Sound Laboratory Analysis PFAS Analysis: Challenges & Mitigation

Laboratory Standards • Suitable standard methodology to carry out PFAS analyses

Branched and Linear Isomers

• Include data that addresses both ‘versions’

Precursors • Currently, no commercially available method for precursor analyses. New methods are in development

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

• Review laboratory provided information

Accreditation • Accredited for PFAS analyses by a reputable accreditation agency


Analysis

• Use a laboratory accredited for PFAS analyses by a reputable accreditation agency.

• Ensure laboratory is using suitable standard methodology to carry out PFAS analyses.

• Include data that addresses both branched and linear isomers.

• Currently no commercially available method of precursors analyses but new methods are in development.

• Review laboratory provided quality assurance and quality control information.

Develop Robust Conceptual Site Model (CSM)


Develop Robust CSM

• Develop Conceptual Site Model (CSM)

• Identify source areas (e.g., storage areas, training/testing areas, etc.)

• Identify and evaluate exposure pathways (e.g., human health, ecological, lateral/vertical migration).

• Identify receptors (e.g., surface water bodies, fish, human, etc.)

• Adopt risk management strategies that intercept the exposure pathway between source term and receptor

Risk Management

• Manage to current regulatory requirements.

• Eliminate direct contact to impacted soil and limit infiltration.

• Eliminate surface water runoff.

• Require workers to don appropriate PPE.

• Prohibit potable groundwater or surface water should a potable source be suspected of being impacted.

Strategies

Source Exposure Pathway

Receptor

Potential Risk

No Risk

No Risk No Risk

No Risk No Risk

No Risk

Remediation

Develop decision model to support the choice of short-term and long-term remediation strategies.

Impacted Soil

High-temperature incineration or landfill

disposal at a facility that is appropriately designed to

treat and handle PFAS impacted soils

Immobilization/stabilization (e.g., amine-modified clay

sorbents).

Impacted Groundwater

Pump and treat (e.g., using activated carbon, ion

exchange resin, coagulation, membranes)

Permeable Reactive Barrier

Disposal of Discharged AFFF

Collect and contain discharged foam.

Pre-treatment may be required prior to acceptance at a

wastewater treatment facility.

There is no simple remedial solution.

ALTERNATIVES TO AFFF

Alternatives to AFFF Best Management Practices

Upgrade to modern AFFF o Regulations in U.S. and Canada place restrictions on production of AFFF containing PFAS.

o Existing stocks of PFOS-based foam removed from service but regulations in U.S. do not currently restrict use of existing stocks.

Use of Fluorine-Free Foams

• Formulated without the use of fluorochemicals and does not break down to PFOS and PFOA.

o Made of water-soluble non-fluorinated polymer additives

o Considered biodegradable, low in toxicity and treatable in sewage treatment plants.

Optimization of Firefighting Program

o Ensure plans for each life cycle stage minimize the potential for accidental release of AFFF.

SCREENING TOOL

MAPA Screening Tool

• Objective: To identify areas of potential concern on or near an airport, accounting for both historical and current use of AFFF and other sources of PFASs.

• Designed to be easy to use, based upon readily available information.

• Facilitates communication of outcomes to airport management.

• Supports evaluation of BMP implementation to prioritize resource allocation/investment.

(MAPA = Managing AFFF and PFAS at Airports)

Phase PHASE 1 Scale Airport Questions to be Answered

Do I have concern? Where are the Potential Areas of Concern?

Task Objectives Identify Areas of Potential Concern at Airport Identify Potential Sensitive Receptors

Considerations Airport AFFF Life Cycle Historical Activities Current AFFF Use Uncontrolled Spills/Releases Other PFAS Sources Potable Wells Surface Water Bodies Wetlands

Outcomes Identifying whether PFAS is concern AFFF life-cycle schematic Map showing areas of concern and sensitive receptors at airport Categorization of areas of concern as operational versus legacy Source-based preliminary rating index

Phase PHASE 2 Scale Operational Area of Concern

(e.g., Storage Units, Equipment, Distribution Infrastructure)

Legacy Area of Concern (e.g., FFTA, Release/Disposal Area, Incident Response)

Questions to be Answered

How big of a concern do I have? What types of PFASs do I have? What additional information do I need to understand the potential magnitude of the concern? Where should I start? What represents the greatest risk? What are the priorities for future action given limited resources?

Task Objectives Assess Magnitude of Issue Identify AFFF Handling, Storage, Preparation, Disposal Practices Identify Equipment and Distribution Infrastructure Maintenance and Cleaning Practices

Assess Magnitude of Issue Identify Potential Pathways and Site Features Salient to PFAS Fate and Transport

Considerations AFFF Volume AFFF Procurement Frequency AFFF Shelf Life and Disposal AFFF Storage System AFFF Preparation Process Equipment Cleaning Practices Planned Capital Improvements Involving Soil Excavation or Groundwater Dewatering

Surface Water Drainage and Conveyance Systems Types and Extent of Surface Covering Topography Meteorological conditions Presence of Permafrost Geology (if known) Hydrogeology (if known)

Outcomes Compilation of Identified PFAS Related Issues Identification of Data Gaps Prioritization of Area of Concern

Screening Tool: Outcomes • Whether an airport has a potential concern that needs

to be explored

• Where specific areas of potential concern are present and the nature of these areas

• What data gaps may be present in characterizing the potential severity (i.e., risk) associated with each area

• Priorities of future actions where more than one area may be present.

• Priorities for resource commitment.

• Planning of capital infrastructure and airport development.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

Recommendations for Future Research

• Alternatives to AFFF containing PFAS

• Disposal Methods (of AFFF Concentrate)

• Replacing AFFF in Existing Systems

• Environmental Standards for AFFF

• Evaluation of Existing Separation/Treatment Facilities for Processing PFAS-Impacted Wastewater

• Understanding how firefighting can be optimized

• Broadly Applicable Analytical Methods

• Environmental and Human Health Risks Associated with short-chain PFASs in AFFF

Questions?

Andrew H. Thalheimer, P.Eng Dillon Consulting Limited

Halifax, NS [email protected]

Indra K. Kalinovich, PhD, EIT, C.Chem. Dillon Consulting Limited

Winnipeg, MB [email protected]

Today’s Participants • Michael Lamprecht, Federal Aviation

Administration, [email protected]

• Andrew Thalheimer, Dillon Consulting Limited, [email protected]

• Indra Kalinovich, Dillon Consulting Limited, [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



Panelists Presentations

http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/webinars/170912.pdf

After the webinar, you will receive a follow-up email

containing a link to the recording



Get Involved in ACRP • Submit a research idea to ACRP. • Volunteer to participate on a project panel. • Prepare a proposal to conduct research. • Get involved in TRB's Aviation Group of

committees. • Take part in the Champion or Ambassador

Programs.

For more information: http://www.trb.org/acrp/acrp.aspx

http://www.trb.org/acrp/acrp.aspx

Take Part in the Careers in Motion Networking Fair

http://bit.ly/CareersInMotionFair

http://bit.ly/CareersInMotionFair