Aqueous Film-Forming Foam Take-Back Program
The North Carolina Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) Take-Back Program is a responsive plan that aims to collect, store, and eventually destroy AFFF in the inventories of fire departments, including public airports, throughout the State. The voluntary program is designed to help local fire departments identify AFFF in their inventories and assist them with the removal and safe disposal of the product. The NC Collaboratory is partnering with officials and staff from the Office of the State Fire Marshal and Department of Environmental Quality, as well as academic researchers to execute this plan.
Background
The Program was developed in response to the passage of Session Law 2023-134 and Session Law 2024-1, which directed the NC Collaboratory “To conduct a voluntary takeback program for stocks of PFAS-containing AFFF owned or stored by local fire departments.” AFFF has regularly been used in firefighting activities to extinguish hydrocarbon and polar solvent fuel fires. Yet, this product contains high levels of per and-polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) and is under investigation as a source of environmental contamination. Specifically, the use and disposal of this product during firefighting and training activities has led to pollution of surface and groundwater around North Carolina, as shown through work done by the NC PFAS Testing Network and others.
While PFAS-containing AFFF is a nationwide concern, and several states have a version of a take-back program, North Carolina’s program is unique – the collection of AFFF formulations from across the State presents an opportunity to archive samples of this product for future use in environmental forensic applications.
Program Benefits
- Removes the financial burden on fire departments wishing to dispose of their AFFF.
- Prevents the further use and release of AFFF into the environment.
- Creates a safe mechanism for the destruction and disposal of AFFF.