Press Release – Environmental Protection Authority The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has imposed tighter restrictions on specific types of toxic and environmentally damaging firefighting foam products, and set a deadline for when their use in New Zealand will end. Some types of firefighting …
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has imposed tighter restrictions on specific types of toxic and environmentally damaging firefighting foam products, and set a deadline for when their use in New Zealand will end.
Some types of firefighting foams contain PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) which can cause serious land and water contamination. Two banned PFAS substances, PFOS (perfluorooctane sulphonic acid) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), were discovered at the Ohakea and Woodbourne airbases in late 2017. In response, the EPA investigated the presence of non-compliant firefighting foams at commercial airports and other locations in New Zealand.
(File image).
Photo: 123RF
Foams containing chemicals in the PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) group have caused longlasting pollution worldwide and at multiple sites around New Zealand, including of water supplies, and the chemicals have featured in lawsuits for hundreds of millions of dollars in the US.
The new move requires that any use of PFAS foams from the end of 2025 gets case-by-case approval from the EPA.
A subgroup of foams that are the most widely studied and were most common until about 2010, containing PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), is getting stricter treatment.
PFOA foams uncontained use, for example at a car crash, must be phased out by the end of 2022; and contained use, such as at a fuel tank farm that has a bund system, by the end of 2025.
Thursday, 17 December 2020, 3:02 pm
We are seeking submissions on a proposed review of the
hazard classifications of a range of substances.
The
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) regulates
pesticides, household chemicals and other dangerous goods
and substances under the Hazardous Substances and New
Organisms Act. As well as evaluating and approving
substances, we can reassess substances and make decisions
about whether the hazard classifications and controls (or
rules of use) need updating.
We are proposing to
update the hazard classifications of 123 substances -
including single chemicals and mixtures - to take into
account new information such as study data, and reviews or
Thursday, 17 December 2020, 11:06 am
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has imposed
tighter restrictions on specific types of toxic and
environmentally damaging firefighting foam products, and set
a deadline for when their use in New Zealand will
end.
Some types of firefighting foams contain PFAS
(perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) which can
cause serious land and water contamination. Two banned PFAS
substances, PFOS (perfluorooctane sulphonic acid) and PFOA
(perfluorooctanoic acid), were discovered at the Ohakea and
Woodbourne airbases in late 2017. In response, the EPA
investigated the presence of non-compliant firefighting
foams at commercial airports and other locations in New
Zealand.
PFOA and its related compounds are referred
EPA releases annual report on aerial use of 1080 livenews.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from livenews.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.