UNEP, ICAO launch project to eliminate toxic firefighting foams in African airports

NAIROBI, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on Wednesday announced the launch of a project to boost the phasing out of toxic fluorinated firefighting foams and replace them with safer alternatives in African airports.

Dubbed "Fortifying Infrastructure for Responsible Extinguishment (FIRE)," the 82.5-million-U.S.-dollar project will be implemented at major airports in Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.

Sheila Aggarwal-Khan, director of UNEP's Industry and Economy Division, termed FIRE a crucial initiative that will boost the capacity of African countries to eradicate harmful pollutants found in firefighting foam supply chains.

"It supports a practical transition to safer, accessible and affordable alternatives, showing that environmental and health protection can go hand in hand with business and operational viability," Aggarwal-Khan said in a statement issued by UNEP in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital.

A 10-million-dollar grant from the Global Environment Facility and 72.5 million dollars in co-financing from partners will phase out firefighting foams containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), hazardous "forever chemicals" linked to serious environmental and health risks, according to UNEP.

UNEP said the implementation of the FIRE project is expected to lead to the safe removal of 4,500 tonnes of PFAS-contaminated material from fire trucks and the safe disposal of 130 tonnes of PFAS-based foam concentrate.

Juan Carlos Salazar, secretary general of the ICAO, said the specialized agency of the United Nations is committed to supporting the adoption of safer and more sustainable firefighting practices at airports across the globe. ■