Bushfire fighting water additives and health

Water additives is the term given to various supplements that are combined with water to help fight fires. Water additive solutions are applied to a bushfire to slow the spread and intensity of the fire or applied to vegetation or property to try and prevent it from catching fire.

Water additives are used by firefighters world-wide and have been used in Queensland for many years.  
There are three main categories of water additives used in Queensland:

• Class A Bushfire Foam
• water enhancers
• retardant.

Chemicals used in water additives

Bushfire foam is basically a mix of water, synthetic detergents (similar to washing up liquid or shampoo) and corrosion inhibitors. QFES uses several brands of bushfire foam, however their ingredients are very similar.

Water enhancers are made up of thickeners, stabilisers as well as super absorbent polymers like those found in some absorbent pads and disposable nappies. Currently, QFES use a water enhancer product called Blaze Tamer 380.

The basic ingredients of retardant are a mix of water, ammonium polyphosphate (also readily used as fertiliser), thickeners (gum and/or clay) and corrosion inhibitors to protect the machinery that applies the product. A red pigment made of iron oxide is also added so as the retardant can be seen on the ground.

Due to interstate firefighting arrangements between Queensland and other states and territories in Australia, brands and types of water additives may vary slightly.

Health risks and precautions

Research conducted in the United States and Australia has shown that health risks associated with firefighting water additives are very low, even to people who are accidentally exposed during their application.

However, water additives can irritate the skin, eyes and airways.  They can also contaminate rainwater tanks making the water unsafe for human or animal consumption.

You should take precautions:

• if you are involved in handling water additives
• if you have rainwater tanks on your property and live in a fire-prone area
• when entering or cleaning up properties after a bushfire.

Handling or coming into contact water additives

Water additives can be powders or liquid concentrates. Queensland Health advise that workers involved in handling firefighting water additives may experience minor skin, eye or respiratory irritation. Workers are required to wear gloves, goggles and dust masks when handling water additive powders or liquid concentrates. Once mixed into slurry, the additives are unlikely to cause irritation.

If you or your pets come into contact with water additives, wash the skin with mild soap and cold water and remove any contaminated clothing and hand wash in cold water.

Rainwater tanks

Water contaminated with firefighting water additives may contain foam and may have an unpleasant smell or taste, making it unsafe for humans and animals to drink. The water can still be used for irrigation or fire-fighting.

Protecting rainwater tanks

To protect your rainwater tank from firefighting solutions:

• Install a first flush diverter or make sure the first part of run-off after rain cannot go into your tank. This will prevent runoff from your roof containing bushfire fighting solutions, ash and debris from entering your tank and contaminating your drinking water.
• If there is a possibility of a bushfires in your area, disconnect your water tank from the roof plumbing to prevent contaminated water from entering the tank. Make sure you do not disconnect the supply side of your tank, especially if you are relying on it for firefighting pumps or sprinklers.

If your rainwater tank is contaminated

If you believe firefighting foams or gels have entered your rainwater tank, you should drain and clean the tank and its supply pipes. You should also clean surfaces that drain into your rainwater tank, such as your roof, gutters and down pipes. The tank can then be refilled using rainwater or water supplied by a licensed water-carrier.

The first flush of water should be discarded. Any discarded water can still be used for irrigation and firefighting purposes.

Cleaning up residue from firefighting solutions

Firefighting foams and gels can leave a residue, which usually breaks down within several weeks. Foams will leave a milky-white or frothy residue. Gels will leave a jelly-like residue.

You should wear gloves when touching surfaces coated in fire-fighting foam or gel. Surfaces covered in firefighting solutions can also be slippery so make sure you wear non slip shoes.

If you find residue from firefighting solutions on your house or car, use a scrubbing brush or stiff bristled broom dipped in mild detergent and water to carefully clean it off, then rinse with clean water.

If no asbestos is present, an additional clean with a high pressure water cleaner can also help, but should not replace scrubbing to ensure the residue is completely removed.

For more information

If you are exposed to a water additive and you feel unwell:

• Call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) at any time.
• Contact 13 QGOV (13 74 68) for your nearest Public Health Unit.

For more information about the water additives used in Queensland to fight bushfires, refer to the information provided by Queensland Fire and Emergency Services.