FOI Request 2282

Subject: The Presence and Potential Sources of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) within the Fire and Rescue Service

Status: Complete

Date received: January 2026

Question Asked:

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 period (year range) during which PFAS-containing firefighting foams were in use

• For the last decade (2016-2026):

  - Manufacturer name(s) for PFAS-containing foam used in your service

  - Details of any PFAS-containing foams currently held in stock or storage (if applicable), including:

        o Type of foam and manufacturer

        o Approximate volume held (in litres)

  - Dates when PFAS-containing foams were phased out (if applicable)

  - Details of replacement foams, including manufacturer name(s) and approximate dates of introduction (where applicable)

• 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

2. Firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE)

For the last decade, please provide:

• Manufacturer name(s) of firefighter PPE issued or used by your Service

• Whether firefighter PPE was sent to external professional cleaning services, and if so:

  - The name(s) of the service provider(s)

  - (where applicable) the type or class of PFAS treatment used, including the specific PFAS chemicals applied (e.g. flurotelomers, PFOS, PFOA).

Our Response:

Please see our response below to your Freedom of Information Request.

1. PFAS-containing firefighting foams

Please provide details of firefighting foams containing PFAS used by your Service, including:

• The period (year range) during which PFAS-containing firefighting foams were in use

  PFAS-containing firefighting foams were utilised by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service from 2016 until January 2026.

• For the last decade (2016-2026):

  - Manufacturer name(s) for PFAS-containing foam used in your service

  N/A

  - Details of any PFAS-containing foams currently held in stock or storage (if applicable), including:

        o Type of foam and manufacturer

  While Cheshire FRS don’t hold any PFAS containing foam in stock or storage we currently hold such foam that is awaiting formal disposal. This foam is Alcoseal 3-6.

        o Approximate volume held (in litres)

  70 x drums each holding 22.5 litres of foam concentrate.

  - Dates when PFAS-containing foams were phased out (if applicable)

  PFAS-containing foams have been phased out of operational service. This was completed in January 2026.

  - Details of replacement foams, including manufacturer name(s) and approximate dates of introduction (where applicable)

  Cheshire FRS foam operational unit received 10 x IBC of ® AR 1/3 F-5 from Angloco. This was introduced in September 2025.

  Cheshire FRS has 35 x appliance, each required to carry 2 x drums of foam. The replacement was FREEGEN SF-LV from Terberg and this was completed in January 2026.

• 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)

  No training events.

  - Approximate quantity, manufacturer of PFAS-containing foam used

  N/A

2. Firefighter personal protective equipment (PPE)

For the last decade, please provide:

• Manufacturer name(s) of firefighter PPE issued or used by your Service

  Ballyclare PBI Matrix

• Whether firefighter PPE was sent to external professional cleaning services, and if so:

  - The name(s) of the service provider(s)

  Elis UK is utilised for the professional laundry service for the cleaning of Personal Protective Equipment.

  - (where applicable) the type or class of PFAS treatment used, including the specific PFAS chemicals applied (e.g. flurotelomers, PFOS, PFOA).

  None

Outcome: Information Provided

FOI responded to within timescales: YES

Further action: NO