Treatability of Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Used for Fire Fighting.

The biodegradability of aqueous film-forming foams AFFF used for fire fighting was evaluated in laboratory-scale activated sludge and trickling filter reactors at the Air Force Weapons Laboratory. Three AFFFs were evaluated Light Water FC-200 from 3M Company Aerowater 3 percent from National Foam Company and Aerowater 6 percent, also from National Foam Company. Concentrations not to exceed 100 mg1 of AFFF influent to the biological treatment process could be satisfactorily treated without affecting the performance of the process and with apparent detoxification of the AFFF. Adsoprtion of AFFFs onto activated carbon is practical. Modified author abstract