National Foam history

The first firefighting foam was developed in 1902 by Russian engineer and chemist Aleksandr Loran.

In the 1920’s, Boyd’s company changed its name to National Foam and began developing firefighting foams and delivery systems.

By the late 1970’s, the Navy- developed AFFF fire suppressant was not only in heavy use by the military, but was also used at more than 90 airports in the United States as well as in many civilian fire departments.

In 1976, Navy scientists again proposed exploring alternatives to AFFF, citing environmental concerns.

A 1981 study conducted by the Air Force found AFFF harmful to female rats and their pups, including low birth weights.

9 S.M. Salazar, “Toxicity of Aqueous Film-Forming Foams to Marine Organisms: Literature Review and Biological Assessment” Naval Ocean Systems Center (1985)8 As evidenced by documents produced by 3M in previously filed litigation.

Following the announcement of the phaseout in 2000, the Department of Defense held a meeting at the Naval Research Laboratory to discuss AFFF environmental issues within the Department.11

AFFF made by 3M prior to 2002 generated PFOS and PFOA as a breakdown product.

13); United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 2006. “Risk Profile on Perfluorooctane Sulfonate.” Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee.