Statlig Program for Forurensningsovervåking, Rapportnr: Xxxx/Xxxx
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Inventory of PFOS and PFOS-related TA 2961 substances in fire-fighting foams in Norway 2012 Prepared by COWI A/S Norway Inventory of PFOS and PFOS-related substances in fire-fighting foams in Norway Foreword Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is the collective term for a group of chemicals that have attracted more and more attention in recent years as their health and environmental impacts have become better known. As a group, they are generally very stable compounds with a unique combination of physico-chemical properties. They are neither fat- nor water-soluble. At present, we know very little about the health and environmental effects of these substances, with the exception of perfluorooctyl sulphonate (PFOS) and PFOS-related substances. The term PFOS-related substances is used to mean all substances containing one or more PFOS groups (defined as C8F17SO2) and that can degrade to PFOS in the environment. In studies of mammals, PFOS has been found to show chronic toxicity and reproductive toxicity. Studies have also shown that it is toxic to aquatic organisms. We lack adequate data on the effects of PFOS-related substances, but since they can degrade to PFOS, it is presumed that they have similar properties. According to a white paper on the Government’s environmental policy and the state of the environment in Norway (Report to the Storting No. 21 (2004–2005)), one of Norway’s national targets is to eliminate or substantially reduce emissions of certain of the most environmentally hazardous substances. These include certain PFOS-related substances. In spring 2005, the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority1 drew up an action plan to reduce the use of PFAS. There is no production of PFAS in Norway. All PFAS compounds on the market are imported, either as industrial chemicals or as constituents of articles. By far the largest area of use for PFOS-related substances in Norway is in fire-fighting foams in the offshore industry and onshore, for example in refineries, the defence sector, the aviation sector and fire training. One of the measures set out in the action plan is to draw up an inventory of PFOS-related substances in fire-fighting foams and emissions from this source in the course of 2005. As part of this work, the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority contacted relevant users, requiring them to provide information on any stockpiles of PFOS- based fire-fighting foams and historical releases. The COWI Group was commissioned to compile the responses and process the data. This work was carried out in July–October 2005. The results of the inventory will be used in further evaluation of the need to prohibit or restrict the use of PFOS-based fire-fighting foams in order to achieve the target of eliminating or substantially reducing emissions of certain PFOS-related substances by 2010. Norwegian Pollution Control Authority, Oslo, December 2005 Ingrid Bjotveit Director, Department of Climate and Industry2 1 Translator's note: Wherever “Norwegian Pollution Control Authority” is used in the report, it refers to the Climate and Pollution Agency in Norway. The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority was renamed the Climate and Pollution Agency on 18 January 2010. 2 Translator's note: The Climate and Pollution Agency has been reorganised. The current organisational chart can be found at www.klif.no. 1 Contents 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 4 1.1 Background .................................................................................................................. 4 1.2 Aim of the inventory .................................................................................................... 4 2 PFOS-related substances in fire-fighting foams ...................................................... 5 2.1 Areas of use ................................................................................................................. 5 3 Results .......................................................................................................................... 7 3.1 Responses received ...................................................................................................... 7 3.2 Quantities reported ....................................................................................................... 8 3.3 Assessment of the results ............................................................................................. 9 3.3.1 Fixed offshore installations .......................................................................................... 9 3.3.2 Mobile rigs ................................................................................................................... 9 3.3.3 Ships and ferries ......................................................................................................... 10 3.3.5 Refineries and onshore gas terminals ......................................................................... 10 3.3.6 Petrochemical and other relevant industry ................................................................. 10 3.3.7 Tank farms ................................................................................................................. 10 3.3.8 Airports ...................................................................................................................... 10 3.3.9 The Norwegian Armed Forces ................................................................................... 11 3.3.10 Fire-fighting training sites .......................................................................................... 11 3.3.11 Municipal and intermunicipal fire and rescue services .............................................. 11 3.4 Summary of information obtained on stockpiles ......................................................... 11 3.5 Possibility of replacing stockpiles of PFOS-based foams ......................................... 12 3.6 PFOS-related substances in products for other areas of use ...................................... 13 References ............................................................................................................................... 14 Appendices: 1 List of recipients of the questionnaire 2 Questionnaire 3 List of respondents that reported stockpiles of PFOS-based foam Summary This report presents the results of an inventory of remaining stockpiles and historical emissions of PFOS-based fire-fighting foams in Norway in 2005. The inventory included offshore installations, tankers and passenger ferries and relevant onshore enterprises and other users. Since this report was published, the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority has been renamed the Climate and Pollution Agency. The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority contacted relevant users and required them to provide information about their remaining stockpiles of foam and their historical emissions. The information received was used to assess Norway’s total stockpiles of PFOS-based foam, historical emissions, and the content of PFOS-related substances in stockpiled foam. Total stockpiles of PFOS-based foam in Norway are estimated at approximately 1.4 million litres. The largest quantities are held on offshore installations and at refineries and onshore gas terminals. The Norwegian Armed Forces also have relatively large stockpiles of PFOS- based foam. The total quantity of PFOS-related substances in all foam stockpiles is estimated at approximately 22 tonnes. The estimates of historical emissions are more uncertain. Those for offshore platforms and mobile rigs are most reliable. Historical emissions could not be estimated for airports, fire- fighting training sites, fire and rescue brigades or the Norwegian Armed Forces. The table below shows estimated quantities of PFOS in foam stockpiles and estimated historical emissions. If no estimates could be made, this is indicated by n.e. (no estimate). User category Quantities of PFOS-related Historical emissions of substances in foam PFOS-related substances, kg stockpiles, kg Offshore installations 15 600 54 000 Mobile rigs 400 700 Ships and ferries 400 200 Refineries and onshore gas 2 260 2 300 terminals Petrochemical and other 530 < 200 relevant industry Tank farms 600 < 200 Airports < 50 n.e. Armed forces 1 500 n.e Fire-fighting training sites < 50 n.e. Fire and rescue brigades < 50 n.e. Total 21 500 Min. 57 600 Estimated quantities of PFOS-related substances in foam and historical emissions. If no quantitative estimate could be made, this is indicated by n.e. (no estimate) 3 1 Introduction 1.1 Background In 2004, the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority surveyed the use of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in products in Norway /1/. This showed that the largest area of use was fire- fighting foam (AFFF foam). On the basis of this survey and other national and international surveys and investigations, the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority drew up an action plan in 2005 with the aim of reducing the use of PFAS. One of the measures listed in the action plan was to draw up an inventory of PFOS-related substances in fire-fighting foams and of emissions from this source. This was to be carried out in 2005 and cover the offshore petroleum industry and onshore industries. In connection with implementation of the action plan, the Pollution Control Authority has contacted relevant users and required them to provide information on any stockpiles of PFOS- based fire-fighting foams, historical releases, etc. The COWI Group was commissioned to