Chronic Reproductive Toxicity of Fomtec Enviro USP, a Fluorine-Free Firefighting Foam, to Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)

TL;DR

This study examines the effects of a fluorine-free firefighting foam on the reproduction of northern bobwhite quail, finding that even low concentrations can reduce egg production.

Contribution

The study provides new toxicological data on a fluorine-free firefighting foam using an avian model.

Findings

Exposure to 0.01% Fomtec Enviro USP significantly reduced egg production in quail.

Hatching success remained within normal parameters despite Fomtec exposure.

The study highlights the importance of evaluating non-fluorinated foams for ecological safety.

Abstract

Long-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been the standard active chemicals in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs or firefighting foams) since the mid-1960s. Some characteristics of PFASs are environmental persistence and bioaccumulation. Non-fluorinated firefighting foams are an alternative to potentially reducing the ecological/environmental impact of PFAS-based AFFF. We used northern bobwhite (NOBO, Colinus virginianus) to test the ecotoxicity of one candidate (non-fluorinated) foam. Fomtec Enviro USP is a fluorine-free commercial AFFF used primarily for extinguishing Class B hydrocarbon fuel fires. Following a photostimulation phase to initiate egg laying, breeding pairs were exposed for 60+ days to 0.01%, 0.1%, and 0.25% Fomtec in drinking water. The endpoints of the study included survival, growth, and reproductive output. Water consumption was evaluated and used to determine the average daily intake (ADI) based on Fomtec components: sodium dodecyl sulfate or SDS (0.05, 0.15, and 0.32 mg/kg/day for the 0.01%, 0.1%, and 0.25% Fomtec exposures, respectively) and diethylene glycol monobutyl ether or DGMBE (0.49, 6.54, and 18.37 mg/kg/day for the 0.01%, 0.1%, and 0.25% Fomtec exposures, respectively). Over the 60 days, control females laid an average of 59 ± 0.8 eggs compared to 28 ± 9 (0.01% Fomtec exposure), 51 ± 4 (0.1% Fomtec exposure), and 56 ± 2 (0.25% Fomtec exposure); the number of eggs produced per hen was affected by exposure to the lowest Fomtec concentration. Hatching success was not significantly different among treatment groups, and it was within normal reproduction parameters for quail. Our findings in this avian model help to fill data gaps for non-fluorinated foam products, many of which have little toxicological information.