Use of PFAS-containing Firefighting Foams and Firefighter Gear
Case reference FOI2026/00066
Received 17 January 2026
Published 30 January 2026
Request
Response
FOI Request and London Fire Brigade (LFB) Response:
We are writing to request information under the Freedom of Information.
We are undertaking a study examining the presence and potential sources of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) within the UK’s Fire and Rescue Services (FRSs).
To support this research, we would be grateful if you could provide the following information relating to your Fire and Rescue Service, covering the last ten years, where this information is already held and readily retrievable. We do not require full incident logs or the creation of new analyses, and we are content to receive partial or high-level summaries where detailed records are not readily accessible.
1. PFAS-containing firefighting foams
Please provide details of firefighting foams containing PFAS used by your Service, including:
The Brigade uses the following firefighting foams containing PFAS:
AFFF-AR 3% and ALCOSEAL 3/6, AR-FFFP 6%.
* The period (year range) during which PFAS-containing firefighting foams were in use
PFAS (per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) firefighting foams containing Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) have been in use in UK firefighting from circa 1960s until being banned by the UK Government, 4 July 2025.
The Brigade does not hold information which provides an exact start date for the Brigade’s use of PFAS firefighting foams (AFFF).
* For the last decade (2016-2026):
* Manufacturer name(s) for PFAS-containing foam used in your service
There are two manufacturers used by the Brigade between 2016 - 2026 for PFAS-containing foams:
AUXQUIMIA S.A.U.
ANGUS FIRE LIMITED.
* Details of any PFAS-containing foams currently held in stock or storage (if applicable), including:
* Type of foam and manufacturer
The PFAS-containing foams currently held in storage by the Brigade and manufacturers’ names are:
AFFF-AR 3%, AUXQUIMIA S.A.U.
ALCOSEAL 3/6, AR-FFFP 6%, ANGUS FIRE LIMITED,
* Approximate volume held (in litres)
The Approximate volume held by the Brigade is 18,000 litres of foam.
* Dates when PFAS-containing foams were phased out (if applicable)
PFAS-containing foams were phased out circa 2011 - 2025 and the Brigade completed the removal of all PFAS-containing foams from service by the legislative deadline, 4 July 2025.
The Brigade does not hold information relating to particular dates of the phasing-out process.
* Details of replacement foams, including manufacturer name(s) and approximate dates of introduction (where applicable)
The replacement foam is ATF 30-3% Fluorine-free foam and the manufacturer is Angus Fire Respondol.
The Brigade does not hold information providing a date of introduction.
* Using already collected data and records relating to major incidents involving high foam usage (such as trainings, medium to large-scale fire incidents e.g. industrial, petrochemical, airport, landfill fires etc.). Where available, please provide:
* Location and month/year of the incident/training(s)
* Approximate quantity, manufacturer of PFAS-containing foam used
The Brigade does not hold the above information.
2. Firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE)
For the last decade, please provide:
* Manufacturer name(s) of firefighter PPE issued or used by your Service
Bristol Uniforms Ltd. provides the firefighter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
* Whether firefighter PPE was sent to external professional cleaning services, and if so:
* The name(s) of the service provider(s)
Bristol Uniforms Ltd. provides the cleaning services as part of its contract with the Brigade.
* (where applicable) the type or class of PFAS treatment used, including the specific PFAS chemicals applied (e.g. C6 fluorotelomers, PFOS, PFOA).
The treatment of firefighter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is carried out by Bristol Uniforms Ltd.
The Brigade does not hold information about the class of treatment used by Bristol Uniforms Ltd.
Kind regards,
Information Access Team (IAT)
London Fire Brigade (LFB)
Documents
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