Cited by 543Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances researchEnvironmental Chemistry and AnalysisToxic Organic Pollutants Impact

Identification of Novel Fluorochemicals in Aqueous Film-Forming Foams Used by the US Military

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Place, Benjamin J., Field, Jennifer A.·2012·Environmental Science & Technology

Abstract

Aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) are a vital tool to fight large hydrocarbon fires and can be used by public, commercial, and military firefighting organizations. In order to possess these superior firefighting capabilities, AFFFs contain fluorochemical surfactants, of which many of the chemical identities are listed as proprietary. Large-scale controlled (e.g., training activities) and uncontrolled releases of AFFF have resulted in contamination of groundwater. Information on the composition of AFFF formulations is needed to fully define the extent of groundwater contamination, and the first step is to fully define the fluorochemical composition of AFFFs used by the US military. Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB-MS) and high resolution quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOF-MS) were combined to elucidate chemical formulas for the fluorochemicals in AFFF mixtures, and, along with patent-based information, structures were assigned. Sample collection and analysis was focused on AFFFs that have been designated as certified for US military use. Ten different fluorochemical classes were identified in the seven military-certified AFFF formulations and include anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic surfactants with perfluoroalkyl chain lengths ranging from 4 to 12. The environmental implications are discussed, and research needs are identified.

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Crossref · 10.1021/es301465n

Cites

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  • A study identifying PFAS components in 3M AFFF indicated only perfluorosulfonates were in surfactants produced between 1988 and 2001.

    “A study identifying PFAS components in 3M AFFF indicated only perfluorosulfonates were in surfactants produced between 1988 and 2001 (Place & Field, 2012).”

    From Perfluoroalkyl acids in sediment and water surrounding historical fire training areas at Barksdale Air Force Base (2022) · cites this paper as Place & Field, 2012

    In Results and Discussion, the paper identifies perfluoroalkyl sulfonates in the analyzed 3M AFFF samples dated 1988–2001 and reports no detectable perfluoroalkyl carboxylates. But it also identifies zwitterionic perfluoroalkyl sulfonamides in samples from 1993, 1998, and 2001. The claim that only perfluorosulfonates were present therefore overstates the findings; the method could also miss minor components. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Electrochemical fluorination produces fully fluorinated compounds, such as PFOS.

    “Electrochemical fluorination is a process that produces fully fluorinated compounds, such as PFOS (Place & Field, 2012).”
  • Place and Field (2012) identified 10 subclasses of PFASs in multiple aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) formulations.

    “Place and Field (2012)5 identified 10 subclasses of PFASs in multiple aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) formulations”

    From A Never-Ending Story of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs)? (2017) · cites this paper as Place and Field (2012)5

  • Commercial standards are available for <10 out of the hundreds of precursors previously detected in AFFF.

    “Commercial standards are available for <10 out of the hundreds of precursors previously detected in AFFF.7−10”
  • Almost all (14/15) identified precursors were perfluoroalkyl sulfonamido compounds previously identified in 3M AFFF or suspected metabolites.

    “Almost all (14/15) were perfluoroalkyl sulfonamido compounds previously identified in 3M AFFF or suspected metabolites.7,8”

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Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 3

  1. [6]Moody CA Hebert GN Strauss SH Field JA Occurrence and persistence of perfluorooctanesulfonate and other perfluorinated surfactants in groundwater at a fire-training area at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, USA J. Environ. Monitor 2003 5 2 341 345 12729279
  2. [19]Barber M Bordoli RS Elliott GJ Sedgwick RD Tyler AN Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FABMS). A study of surface coverage effects in FABMS Journal of the Chemical Society, Faraday Transactions 1: Physical Chemistry in Condensed Phases 1983 79 5 1249 1255
  3. [22]Gross JH Mass Spectrometry 2004 Springer New York

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Authors
Place, B. J., & Field, J. A.
Affiliations
Oregon State University (US)
Corresponding author
Field, Jennifer A.
Venue
Environmental Science & Technology
Published
2012-06-15
Volume
46
Issue
13
Pages
7120-7127
ISSN
  • 0013-936X (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-5851
OpenAlex
W2054550313
Cited by
543
References
11
Citations by year
2026: 50 · 2025: 60 · 2024: 49 · 2023: 51 · 2022: 60 · 2021: 59 · 2020: 54 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 41 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 19 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 2
FWCI
10.49
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Environmental Science & Technology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (P30ES000210, #P30-ES00210)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances research
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Environmental Chemistry › Environmental Chemistry and Analysis
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Toxic Organic Pollutants Impact
Keywords
aqueous film-forming foam, fluorochemicals, groundwater contamination, perfluorinated compounds, surfactant composition, compound identification, environmental implications
MeSH terms
Flame Retardants, Fluorocarbons, Mass Spectrometry, Surface-Active Agents, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Spectrometry, Mass, Fast Atom Bombardment, Military Facilities, Groundwater

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