New Delhi: Raging wildfire has devastated southern California with Los Angeles being terribly affected by the fire. Amid such a scenario, visuals are showing that air tankers are dropping bright red and pink powder on the Los Angeles suburbs. The fire retardant has blanketed driveways, rooftops and cars in the area. Notably, a fire retardant is a substance that is used to slow down or stop the spread of fire or reduce its intensity. According to reports, thousands of gallons of the substance had been dropped last week to stop the spreading of the flames as wildfire has engulfed California.
What is the red and pink substance used to stop fire?
The name of the substance is Phos-Chek and it is sold by a company named Perimeter. It has been used in the US since 1963 to fight blazes and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has been using it for a long time. Also, as per a 2022 report of the Associated Press, it is the most-used fore retardant in the world. According to the BBC, the dye added to Phos-Chek acts as a visual marker for pilots and firefighters. According to Perimeter, the powder must be cleaned off as soon as it is safe to do. The longer it dries, the more difficult it will be to remove it completely. While warm water and mild detergent can remove it from small surfaces, pressure washers can be used to remove it from large surfaces.
How does the Phos-Chek work?
The Phos-Chek’s exact formula is not publicly known but as per the company, it has 80 per cent water, 14 per cent fertiliser-type salts and 6 per cent corrosion inhibitors and colouring agents. It is generally sprayed around a wildfire to stop the spreading of the flames. The US Forest Service has stated that the retardants slow down the spread of wildfire by cooling and coating fuels, slowing the fuel combustion rate and depleting the fire of oxygen. It does not douse the flames directly but is sprayed in advance of a fire.
The core components of the retardant are salts like ammonium polyphosphate and is mainly handy in areas where ground crews face troubles reaching rugged terrain. It lasts longer than water and endure harsh conditions. However, Phos-Chek has its limitations like winds can make it dangerous to drop from air, and strong gusts may scatter the powder reducing its effectiveness.
How does it impact the environment?
According to research, the chemicals of fire retardants, including heavy metals are a toxic threat to the environment. Also, the chemicals harm wildlife, pollutes waterways and poses risks to human health. Keeping these risks in mind, the US Forest Service has banned the dropping of fire retardant in sensitive environmental areas, like where endangered species live and waterways. There are exceptions like in cases public safety or human life are threatened.
The recent devastating California wildfires have seen widespread use of Phos-Chek, a pink fire retardant. Composed primarily of water, fertilizer salts, and corrosion inhibitors, Phos-Chek slows fire spread by cooling and coating fuels. While effective, it’s crucial to understand its environmental impact, as research suggests potential toxicity to wildlife and waterways. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
