Bright pink powder has become a common sight on rooftops, vehicles and streets in Los Angeles, where aerial tankers are continuously dropping the substance to extinguish wildfires. Officials have confirmed that thousands of gallons of this powder have been used over the past week to stop the fire from spreading further, but what exactly is this pink powder and how is it helping to stop wildfires?
What is this fire retardant pink powder?
The name of this substance is Phos-Chek which helps in preventing fire. It has been used in America to prevent fires since the 1960s and is manufactured by a company called Perimeter Solutions. According to AP report, this fire retardant substance is used in many places around the world. This pink powder may look strange but it plays a very important role in preventing fire.
A Perimeter spokesperson told the BBC that they dye Fos-Check so that firefighters and pilots can see it and know in which areas they have used it. This color automatically fades within a few days after coming in contact with sunlight and merges with the color of the earth.
How does fire extinguishing pink powder work?
According to a New York Times report, instead of extinguishing the fire directly, Phos-Chek is sprayed before the fire starts, allowing it to spread over vegetation and other flammable surfaces. This prevents oxygen from being added to the fire, and proves to be extremely useful in slowing the spread of fire.
The main components of this inhibitor are chemicals like ammonium polyphosphate. Stanton Florea, a spokesman for the National Interagency Fire Center, told The New York Times that the retardant can withstand harsh conditions and lasts longer than water, “It doesn’t evaporate like water.” This material is used in areas where access is difficult due to rough surface.
Phos-check has its limitations. Strong winds can make air drops dangerous, and strong gusts can scatter the powder before it reaches the target, reducing its effectiveness.
Are there any disadvantages of this fire retardant substance?
Although pink powder is very helpful in preventing forest fires, environmental experts have expressed concerns about it because it affects the ecosystem and human life. According to a New York Times report, emerging research shows that the chemicals in fire retardants, including heavy metals, pose a toxic threat to the environment.
It says millions of gallons of the substance are spilled each year, which can harm wildlife, pollute waterways and threaten human health. Fire retardants have become extremely important in controlling deadly fires and their use is increasing due to frequent wildfire incidents due to climate change and due to this more chemicals are entering the environment.
A lawsuit filed in 2022 by Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics, a group of current and former US Forest Service employees, alleged that airborne droplets of fire retardants violated clean water laws, the BBC reported. A US District Court judge acknowledged these concerns, but allowed the Forest Service to continue using fire retardants until it obtained a permit from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
