Understanding PFAS


If you’ve been hearing more about PFAS lately, you’re not imagining it. These chemicals have gone from a specialist technical concern to global headline and industries everywhere are rethinking how they use them. The fire trade is right at the centre of this shift. 

So, what exactly are PFAS, why are they being phased out around the world, and why does the fire industry face unique risks? 

Let’s break it down. 

What Are PFAS, in Plain English? 

PFAS (short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large group of man-made chemicals that have been used since the 1950s. They’re especially good at resisting heat, water, oil, and fuel, which is why they’ve been so widely used. 

You’ll find PFAS in things like: 

  • Non-stick cookware 
  • Waterproof clothing 
  • Food packaging 
  • Industrial coatings 
  • And critically for our industry: firefighting foams 

Because they don’t easily break down, PFAS are often called “forever chemicals.” Once released into the environment, they tend to stick around. 

Why Are PFAS a Problem? 

The very thing that makes PFAS useful, how stable they are, is also what makes them risky. 

Over time, PFAS can: 

  • Accumulate in soil and water 
  • Build-up in plants, animals, and people 
  • Travel far beyond where they were originally used 

While research is still evolving, governments and regulators aren’t waiting for absolute certainty and are taking action to restrict and ban their use.  

Why the Fire Industry Is Under the Microscope 

For the fire trade, PFAS isn’t an abstract issue, it’s very real. 

Historically, PFAS have been used in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF), sometimes also referred to as C6/C8, because of their ability to rapidly suppress flammable liquid fires. That performance made them a global standard for airports, industrial sites, training facilities, and emergency response. 

But those same foams are now one of the most significant sources of PFAS contamination worldwide. 

Key risks for the fire industry include: 

  • Environmental contamination at training grounds and incident sites 
  • Regulatory non-compliance as bans and restrictions expand 
  • Asset obsolescence, where existing stock or systems become unusable 

Importantly, this isn’t limited to one region. Whether you operate in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Asia, or Australia, PFAS regulation is tightening and fast. 

The Shift to PFAS-Free Firefighting Solutions 

The good news? The fire industry isn’t standing still. PFAS-free firefighting foams have advanced significantly. For many organizations, the conversation has shifted from “Do we need to change?” to “How quickly can we do it responsibly?” 

Forward-looking fire professionals are now: 

  • Auditing existing foam stocks 
  • Transitioning to PFAS-free alternatives 
  • Updating training practices 
  • Reducing future liability while maintaining fire performance 

Looking Ahead 

The global phase-out of PFAS is not a trend, it’s a transition. And like any transition, those who move early tend to have more control, more options, and fewer surprises. 

This is why we have introduced the new Eco PLUS Fire Extinguisher range. Jactone Eco PLUS fire extinguishers contain no persistent fluorochemicals, meaning they are PFAS-free. That’s better for the environment, safer for people, and compliant with emerging regulations for sustainable fire protection. 

Discover Jactone’s Eco PLUS range of PFAS-free Portable Fire Extinguishers HERE