Aquatic Toxicity Screening of Fire Fighting Agents

• Main Authors: Kiel, Jennifer C., Kalberer, Jennifer L., Rochefort, Matthew M.
• Other Authors: APPLIED RESEARCH ASSOCIATES INC TYNDALL AFB FL
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2005
• Subjects: Forestry; Toxicology; Chemical; Biological and Radiological Warfare; *TOXICITY; *TOXIC AGENTS; *FIRE EXTINGUISHING AGENTS; METALS; LABORATORY TESTS; OXYGEN; FIRE FIGHTING; DISSOLVING; ARCTIC REGIONS; MINNOWS; FOAM; LETHAL DOSAGE; RANGE FINDING; FIRES; HYDROCARBONS; RELIABILITY; EFFICIENCY; WATER; *AQUATIC TOXICITY; AFFF(ANSUL ANSULITE AQUEOUS FILM FORMING FOAM); ANSUL ANSULITE AQUEOUS FILM FORMING FOAM; SYSSUP; WUAFRLGOVT0007; Arctic; Minnows; The Minnows
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADB313011; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADB313011

This series of laboratory experiments was initiated to determine the expected median lethal concentration (LC50) of various fire fighting agents using the Fathead Minnow (Pimephales promelas) as the screening organism. Aquatic toxicity screening offers an inexpensive, efficient and reliable method for determining the toxic effects of a substance on a given organism. Toxicity screens were conducted for eight agents between February 2 and July 14, 2004, in which the minnows were exposed to five concentrations of the fire fighting agent while a simultaneous test was performed with five concentrations of Ansul Ansulite Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), the reference toxicant. The aquatic toxicity screening consisted of an acute, static, range-finding test conducted over a 48-hour period. Dissolved oxygen, pH and temperatures were monitored throughout the experiment. The agents screened included eight agents. Arctic Fire, FEM-12, FEM-12C and FEM-12SC are specifically formulated for Class D metal fires. PolyOx 301 is a specially designed additive to increase the throw distance of water. The remaining agents were designed to extinguish Class B hydrocarbon fires. The calculated LC50s for the eight agents screened ranged between 27 and 675 ppm. Traditional MIL SPEC AFFFs have an average LC50 greater than or equal to 700 ppm.