The Navy’s Red Hill AFFF Concentrate Removal Initiative

There have long been environmental and public health issues around the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii. The Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) concentrate has been successfully removed from the site, according to a recent announcement from the Navy.

This is a significant turning point to lessen the harm that previous fuel and chemical leaks have done to the environment. The elimination of AFFF, a material notorious for its dangerous chemical components, is a step forward but also highlights the difficulties that lie ahead.

In this article, we will look at the initiative and the steps the Navy took.

Background on Red Hill and AFFF

Numerous events have brought the Red Hill plant under investigation, including a significant fuel spill in 2021. As stated in a CBS News article, the jet fuel leak sickened thousands of Hawaiians. However, it was not the first incident; documents show at least 72 such incidents in its history. It is estimated that around 180,000 gallons of different types of fuels may have been released or leaked from the facility.

The problem of the most recent leak was made more complex by the presence of AFFF. AFFF contains per- and poly-fluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS). PFAS, sometimes known as “forever chemicals,” are infamous for their ability to survive in the environment. They are also connected to a number of major health problems, such as cancer and reproductive problems.

Since AFFF is so good at putting out strong flames, it is mostly employed to suppress fires, particularly in military circumstances. However, there are now more calls for its removal and the creation of safer alternatives due to the hazards it poses.

AFFF and Its Hazards

AFFF is a commonly utilized firefighting tool because of its ability to promptly put out high-intensity flames, especially ones that involve flammable liquids. PFAS, one of its constituents, is extremely persistent in the environment.

Since these substances do not decompose naturally, they may build up in the environment and contaminate soil and water over time. Studies have linked exposure to a number of health concerns, including cancer, liver damage, and difficulties with baby development.

One recent study shows that the presence of elevated PFAS levels in blood can result in testicular cancer. The study was conducted over 1060 U.S. Air Force servicemen. Five hundred thirty of them were cancer-free, and the remaining were diagnosed with testicular cancer. It was found that those with cancer had higher levels of PFAS in their bloodstream.

PFAS can provide serious dangers even at low concentrations. Therefore, even the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has imposed restrictions on the safety levels of PFAS presence in drinking water.

Many firefighters and military personnel who are constantly exposed to AFFF have already filed lawsuits against manufacturers. According to TorHoerman Law, plaintiffs allege that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) present in AFFF are known carcinogens. However, manufacturers still didn’t disclose this information appropriately to the users.

The latest AFFF lawsuit update shows that there are a total of 9,525 pending cases. These cases have been consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL) for seamless proceedings. A very few of the many AFFF lawsuits have been settled, but many await the initial hearings. The lawsuit settlement you get for your specific case will vary based on factors like medical expenses, lost wages, the disease’s severity, etc.

The Navy’s Removal Effort

On April 8, 2024, the Navy started taking serious steps to remove the AFFF concentrate from Red Hill. Two agencies worked together to ensure the procedure complied with safety and environmental regulations: the EPA and the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH). By April 17, 2024, 1,012 gallons of AFFF concentrate—or 99% of the entire volume—had been successfully evacuated by the Navy.

The man in charge of Red Hill’s shutdown, Rear Admiral Marc Williams, stressed that everything was going according to plan. A significant component of the larger closure plan is the removal of AFFF. Other tasks in the plan include pipeline removal, storage tank cleaning, and environmental cleanup.

Impact of Past Incidents on Community Trust

Following a number of instances that seriously harmed the Navy’s relationship with the local community, AFFF was removed. The 2021 gasoline leak was a serious incident that damaged confidence and contaminated 93,000 households’ drinking water. These problems were further worsened by the AFFF disaster that happened in November 2022, underscoring the dangers connected to the Red Hill complex.

The reaction from the community has been one of distrust and anxiety. Considering the long-term environmental effects of the accidents, many people have voiced concerns about the Navy’s capacity to safely operate the facility. Even while the elimination of AFFF is a good thing, others believe that it is only the start of a much-needed effort.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was AFFF foam invented?

The very immediate fire knockdown offered by AFFF was very helpful in the crash rescue firefighting process. The 3M Company began producing AFFF for the military in the middle of the 1960s. The production started after the Navy was granted a patent on its invention in 1966.

Is AFFF still used?

Even with increased knowledge of its risks, AFFF is still in use today. AFFF has unmatched firefighting qualities that are not easy to replace with any alternatives. Therefore, the military and certain civilian firefighting units still utilize it, particularly in situations where a prompt reaction to fuel fires is essential.

What is the DoD replacement for AFFF?

The first approved version of fluorine-free foam (F3) for usage was announced by the Department of Defense (DoD). This starts the process of switching out fluorinated Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) used in military stations’ firefighting operations.

The Navy’s removal of 99% of the AFFF concentrate is a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts. However, this is only a single phase in a longer and more complex process. In addition to physically removing dangerous materials, rebuilding public confidence and protecting the environment are important steps for Red Hill. It will be significant for the Navy to keep lines of communication open with the public and practice proactive environmental stewardship.