PFAS-Containing Firefighting Foam Transition Program

The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality is working with the State Fire Marshal and other stakeholders to assist any entities with firefighting foams that contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) transition to fluorine-free alternatives. 

The program will:

  • Provide guidance on how to minimize releases and limit impacts of any PFAS-containing firefighting foams used during the transition to fluorine-free alternatives;
  • Provide resources and trainings to support the transition to fluorine-free alternatives; and 
  • Safely collect and dispose of unwanted PFAS-containing firefighting foams from eligible not-for-profit entities. 

Additional details regarding PFAS-Containing firefighting foams and Wyoming’s PFAS-Containing Firefighting Foam Transition Program are included in the drop-down menu below. Resources to assist with transitioning to fluorine- free foams, including Frequently Asked Questions and general guidance on planning for the transition process, are included in the Resources tab on this webpage.

Contact
Contact

Lindsay Patterson
Emerging Contaminants Coordinator
307-777-7158
Lindsay.Patterson@wyo.gov

Helpful Links
Resources
Resources

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Eligible Entities
  • All entities with PFAS-containing firefighting foams can benefit from the transition resources provided by the program.
  • Not-for-profit entities such as local fire departments and municipal airports can participate in the cost-free collection and disposal portion of the program.
Collection and Disposal Program
  • WDEQ is in the process of hiring a contractor to safely collect and dispose of PFAS-containing firefighting foam from not-for-profit entities.
  • The program will collect PFAS-containing firefighting foam stored in containers and in equipment.
  • Equipment with PFAS-containing firefighting foam will be drained, thoroughly cleaned, and all associated waste collected and disposed of.
  • Participating entities will receive documentation detailing (1) the cleaning process conducted on each piece of equipment; and/or (2) the destruction or disposal of all PFAS-containing firefighting foam, rinsate, containers, and other impacted media and wastes. 
  • The program cannot pay for fluorine-free foam, purchase new equipment, or reimburse for collection and disposal of PFAS-containing firefighting foams.
Funding

WDEQ’s PFAS-Containing Firefighting Foam Transition Program is supported by Wyoming’s Emerging Contaminants in Drinking Water Grant.

Classes of Firefighting Foams That Contain PFAS
  • Firefighting foams are broadly categorized into Class A and Class B based on the type of fuels they target.  
  • Class A foams are used to fight Class A fires which involve combustible solid materials such as wood, paper, fabric, vegetation, plastics, and rubber. Class A foams do not contain PFAS. Instead, they use hydrocarbon-based surfactants, and other solvents and stabilizers to help break the surface tension of water, allowing the water to soak deep into porous materials and cool it from the inside out.
  • Class B foams are used to fight Class B fires which involve flammable liquids and gases such as gasoline, jet fuel, oil, propane, alcohol, and paint. Between approximately 1960 and 2020, most Class B firefighting foams contained PFAS because the PFAS allowed these foams to create a film on the surface of the flammable liquid or gas, helping to smother these types of fires. Because PFAS-containing foams were so effective, military installations and commercial airports were required to use foams that contained PFAS.
  • Fire retardants used for wildland fires and fire extinguishers do not contain PFAS.
Types of Firefighting Foams that Contain PFAS
  • Firefighting foams that contain PFAS include aqueous film forming foam (AFFF), alcohol resistant aqueous film forming foam (AR-AFFF), film-forming fluoroprotein (FFFP), fluoroprotein foam (FP), and other fluorinated products.