Standards from NIST help to eliminate PFAS from firefighting foams
NIST researchers have collaborated with the DOD on a series of AFFF reference materials
Because of concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), organizations including the Department of Defense (DOD) are starting to eliminate the use of PFAS-containing materials. Under the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, the DOD will be required to stop purchasing aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) from manufacturers by October 2023 and will stop using them by October 2024.
To help with this phaseout, NIST researchers have collaborated with the DOD on a series of AFFF reference materials (RMs) containing PFAS. During the phaseout process, older AFFFs will still be around, and the RMs will help organizations identify foams with PFAS so they can remove them from use.