This is a question we often get from engineers and professionals across various industries. It’s understandable given the growing concerns surrounding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), particularly in their environmental impact. But before answering, it’s essential to clarify a few things about PFAS and their different forms.
Let’s Make Sure We Are Addressing the Right Question
When people refer to PFAS, they often lump all fluorinated compounds together, which leads to misconceptions. Not all PFAS are the same, and more importantly, not all are harmful. Specifically, the concern surrounding PFAS usually refers to long-chain substances like PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate), which have been shown to persist in the environment and accumulate in water and soil. These are the chemicals that have led to health and environmental concerns.
However, the products we use—like Standard Fluids™ SF 1230 ™ Fire Protection Fluid, a perfluorinated ketone, —do not behave in the same way. They break down rapidly in the atmosphere and have minimal environmental impact, particularly when compared to persistent substances like PFOS.
Breaking Down the Risk: Water and Soil vs. Air
A key point of distinction is how these substances interact with the environment. Materials that persist in water and soil can cause long-term issues because they don’t easily degrade, and this allows them to accumulate. PFOS is a prime example of this. It’s notorious for being highly resistant to breakdown and has been found in water supplies and ecosystems, posing a significant health risk.
On the other hand, materials that partition primarily to the atmosphere—like FK-5-1-12—are far less concerning. These chemicals break down quickly once they evaporate, meaning they don’t persist in the environment the way substances in water and soil do. In simple terms: if it sticks around in water or soil, it’s a problem. If it evaporates and breaks down, it’s almost a non-issue in terms of long-term environmental impact.
Why Fire Suppression Fluids Are Different
SF 1230 fluid, for example, is a clean extinguishing agent designed with environmental and safety concerns in mind. It’s non-ozone depleting, has a short atmospheric lifespan, and does not accumulate in water or soil. In contrast to PFOS and other harmful long-chain PFAS, SF 1230 fluid avoids those long-term environmental risks while still providing superior fire suppression capabilities.
Bottom Line
When you ask, “Does your product contain PFOS or PFAS?” the answer is “no” in the sense that our products do not contain harmful, persistent substances like PFOS. Our products like SF 1230 fluid partition to the atmosphere, making them far less impactful on the environment compared to the PFAS materials like those containing PFOS that partition to water and soil.
Understanding the differences between various types of fluorinated substances helps guide smarter, more informed decisions, ensuring safety without unnecessary environmental risks. If you have any further questions about our products and their environmental profiles, feel free to reach out to our team of experts.
For more information, please check out this recent article, All PFAS are Not Bad.