What is the pink powder dropped from planes that helps fight Los Angeles wildfires

A bright pink powder covering roofs, vehicles and streets has become a familiar sight in Los Angeles, where air tankers continue to drop the substance to fight raging wildfires. Authorities confirmed that thousands of gallons of the powder were used last week to prevent the flames from spreading further. But what exactly is this pink powder and how does it help contain wildfires?

What is fire retardant pink?

The substance is Phos-Chek, a flame retardant widely used in the United States since the 1960s. Manufactured by the company Perimeter Solutions, it is the most widely used fire retardant in the world, according to a study. AP Report.

The bright pink hue may seem unusual, but it serves an important purpose.

A red fire retardant is seen on a car in the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles
Photo credit: AFP

A Perimeter Institute spokesperson said BBC that the dye added to Phos-Chek acts as a visual marker for pilots and firefighters, helping them see where the retardant has been deployed.

The color fades after several days of exposure to the sun, blending into natural earth tones.

How does fire retardant work?

Rather than directly extinguishing flames, Phos-Chek is sprayed before a fire, covering vegetation and other flammable surfaces, according to a New York Times report.

This prevents oxygen from fueling the fire, creating a barrier to slow the spread of flames.

Photo credit: AFP

The main components of the retarder are salts such as ammonium polyphosphate.

The retardant can withstand harsh conditions and last longer than water, “doesn’t evaporate like a drop of water,” said Stanton Florea, a spokesman for the National Interagency Fire Center. The New York Times.

The substance is particularly useful in areas where ground crews have difficulty reaching rough terrain.

Phos-Chek is not without limitations. High winds can make airdrops dangerous, and strong gusts can disperse the gunpowder before it reaches its target, reducing its effectiveness.

Are there any risks associated with the retarder?

Although pink powder is a powerful tool in fighting wildfires, environmental experts have expressed concerns about its impact on ecosystems and human health. Emerging research suggests that chemicals in flame retardants, including heavy metals, pose a toxic threat to the environment, according to a New York Times report.

Millions of gallons of the substance are released each year, which could harm wildlife, pollute waterways and pose risks to human health, he adds.

Photo credit: AFP

Flame retardants are important for controlling deadly fires, but their increasing use, driven by more frequent wildfires linked to climate change, introduces more chemicals into the environment.

A 2022 lawsuit filed by Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics, a group of current and former U.S. Forest Service employees, alleged that aerial falls of fire retardants violated clean water laws, reported the BBC.

A U.S. district court judge acknowledged those concerns but allowed the Forest Service to continue using fire retardants while it works to obtain a permit from the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA).

In response to increasing scrutiny, the Forest Service has gradually phased out one formulation of Phos-Chek in favor of a less toxic version. The agency also enforces restrictions on the release of retardants near sensitive environmental areas, including waterways and endangered species habitats.