Publication detail

Ecotoxicological Evaluation of Fire Fighting Foams

HŘIBOVÁ, Š. ZLÁMALOVÁ GARGOŠOVÁ, H. VÁVROVÁ, M.

Original Title

Type

journal article in Web of Science

Language

English

Original Abstract

Surfactants form a group of daily-used substances that have become a part of our life. For their advantageous properties are used as additive foam extinguishing agents, which are applied in fighting with widespread fires The main aim of our study was evaluation of ecotoxicological influence of the most used foam extinguishing agents concentrates (FEAs) which are often applied in fire cases by Fire Rescue Unit in South Moravian region, Czech Republic. Specifically were selected follows: Sthamex F 15, Finiflam F 15, Expyrol F 15, Moussol APS F 15 and Pyrocool B. In this study working solutions of selected agents about effective concentration (3 – 5%) were tested. To predict ecotoxicity for aquatic ecosystems tests in aquatic arrangement using animal organisms Thamnocephalus platyurus and Daphnia magna and plant organism Lemna minor and Sinapis alba were conducted. Subsequently leachates of soil contaminated by fire fighting agents via the same organisms were evaluated with aim to assess possible influence of soil sorption complex on ecotoxicity reduction. Ecotoxicological tests in contact arrangement using soil animal organism earthworm Eisenia fetida and plant organism lettuce seeds Lactuca sativa to predict the ecotoxic effect of FEAs on terrestrial organisms and possible influence of biodegradability on ecotoxicity reduction were also conducted. The results of ecotoxicological tests in aquatic as well as in contact arrangements should arouse attention because of the fire fighting agents exhibit high ecotoxicity. As the least toxic agent Moussol APS F 15 was assessed, although its toxicity is still considerable. The influence of soil sorption complex and biodegradation processes on FEAs ecotoxicity reduction was observed. On the base of obtained results, this study points to the need of ecotoxicological testing of foam extinguishing agents and highlights the lack of legislative measures.

Keywords

ecotoxicity, fire fighting foams, surfactants, water leachates

Authors

HŘIBOVÁ, Š.; ZLÁMALOVÁ GARGOŠOVÁ, H.; VÁVROVÁ, M.

RIV year

2014

Released

8. 12. 2014

Publisher

Parlar Scientific Publications

ISBN

1018-4619

Periodical

Fresenius Environmental Bulletin

Year of study

2014 (23.)

Number

State

Federal Republic of Germany

Pages from

3029

Pages to

3035

Pages count

BibTex

@article{BUT104320,
  author="Šárka {Doležalová} and Helena {Zlámalová Gargošová} and Milada {Vávrová}",
  title="Ecotoxicological Evaluation of Fire Fighting Foams",
  journal="Fresenius Environmental Bulletin",
  year="2014",
  volume="2014 (23.)",
  number="12",
  pages="3029--3035",
  issn="1018-4619"
}