by Brianna Crandall — May 18, 2020 — Firefreeze Worldwide (FFW) just announced that its Cold Fire fire-fighting wetting agent is certified PFAS free. While it has always been manufactured without PFAS chemicals, FFW recently had Cold Fire tested by an accredited Department of Defense laboratory, in accordance with EPA 537 and 537.1, to further assure customers that Cold Fire is free of PFOA and PFOS and is nontoxic and safe for the environment. Firefighters and fire safety customers alike can now feel even more confident when using Cold Fire for their fire safety needs.
PFAS concerns
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which include PFOA and PFOS, are manmade synthetic chemicals that have been widely produced and used throughout the world in various products and industries, including nonstick cookware, stain-repellant fabrics and firefighting foams. There are major concerns regarding these chemicals because they do not biodegrade; they accumulate over time in our bodies and in the environment and can cause negative health effects.
Laboratory studies have shown that prolonged exposure may lead to the development of cancer, interfere with the body’s natural hormone function, affect our immune system and cause liver, kidney and developmental toxicity. As a result, the Environmental Protection Agency formed a PFOA Stewardship Program to eliminate the use of PFOA along with other PFAS manufacturing in the United States. See EPA’s Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) page for more information.
Cold Fire benefits
Firefreeze CEO Eveline Giessler stated:
Safety has always been first and foremost for us. We continue to be dedicated to manufacturing products that meet — and even exceed — environmental safety standards. Our mission is to help extinguish fires quickly while ensuring the safety of firefighters, fire victims, our customers and the environment.
Cold Fire is a UL-listed fire-fighting wetting agent tested in accordance with UL 162 for Class A and B fires and NFPA 18 Standard for Wetting Agents. According to the company, Cold Fire effectively puts out fires faster, safer, with less water, less damage to property, and less risk to firefighters and others who use it than traditional fire-fighting agents.
Cold Fire reportedly cools hot surfaces 21 times faster than water, and works to remove heat and the fuel source from the fire tetrahedron, preventing re-ignition. Cold Fire also works to effectively extinguish Class D and K fires and encapsulate hydrocarbons.
Completely green and nontoxic, the plant-based product is available in various formats for various applications, including bulk, portable extinguishers, on-board racing systems, closed loop/sprinkler systems and handheld aerosol spray for small spot fires.
For more information about Cold Fire and to watch a video with dramatic demonstrations of Cold Fire’s safe fire-fighting abilities, visit the Firefreeze website.
