Recently, large retardant-spraying planes, and 20 water-dropping helicopters, were deployed to drop a large amount of bright pink fire retardant to curb the Southern California fires in the United States of America.
- Fire retardant is a mix of chemicals used to extinguish or slow down the spread of fires. There are different types of fire retardant but to tackle wildfires in the US, authorities most commonly use Phos-Chek which is a brand of fire retardant.
Benefits of Fire Retardants:
- Fire Containment: Fire retardants are sprayed ahead of wildfires to coat vegetation, reducing its flammability and helping to create effective firebreaks.
- High Visibility: The bright pink dye added to Phos-Chek ensures that firefighters can easily identify treated areas, enhancing operational efficiency.
- Durability: Unlike water, the ammonium phosphate-based components of Phos-Chek do not evaporate quickly, providing longer-lasting protection against fire spread.
Concerns and Risks:
- Toxicity: The inclusion of metals like chromium and cadmium in Phos-Chek poses significant risks. These metals can cause severe health issues, including cancer and organ damage in humans, and have detrimental effects on wildlife.
- Environmental Impact:
- Waterways: When retardants enter rivers and streams, they can harm aquatic ecosystems, killing fish and other marine life.
- Pollution: The large-scale use of fire retardants contributes to environmental contamination, with studies estimating hundreds of thousands of pounds of toxic chemicals released into ecosystems.
- Effectiveness: Critics argue that aerially applied retardants are expensive and, in many cases, less effective than alternative wildfire management strategies, such as controlled burns and ground-based firefighting.
(Source: Indian Express)
