Aquatic Toxicity Screening of Fire Fighting Agents; 2003 Report
2003
Kiel, Jennifer C. | Kalberer, Jennifer L. | Rochefort, Matthew M.
This series of laboratory experiments was initiated to determine the expected median lethal concentration (LC50) of various fire fighting foams 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 nine agents between June 1 and December 18, 2003, in which the minnows were exposed to five concentrations of the fire fighting agent while a simultaneous test was performed with five concentrations of 3M Light Water Brand 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 temperature were monitored throughout the experiment. The agents screened included six commercial agents (FlameOut II, FireAde 2000, Hawk ALLFIRE, EarthSorb, Hawk Super B and Micro-Blaze Out Plus) and three experimental agents (PS B-25, TDA 555-8 and TDA 541-3). The calculated LC50s for the nine agents screened ranged between 9.5 and 1595 ppm. 3M AFFF had an average LC50 of 784 ppm. All agents screened, with the exception of Micro-Blaze Out Plus and EarthSorb, had a LC50 lower than 3M AFFF.
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