Home / Environment / NJ Fire Departments Toss 'Forever Chemical' Foam
NJ Fire Departments Toss 'Forever Chemical' Foam
12 Jul
Summary
- New Jersey is removing over 150,000 gallons of toxic firefighting foam.
- PFAS chemicals in foam are linked to increased cancer risks for firefighters.
- A company in Ohio is destroying the foam using advanced water reactors.
Hundreds of New Jersey fire departments are actively removing and destroying aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a substance used for decades to extinguish fires. This initiative stems from growing concerns over the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as 'forever chemicals,' within the foam. Studies have indicated a correlation between PFAS exposure and elevated cancer rates among firefighters.
As of the current date, New Jersey has successfully collected more than 150,000 gallons of AFFF from fire stations across the state. This collected foam is being transported to Revive Environmental, a company in Ohio specializing in PFAS destruction. Revive Environmental utilizes super critical water reactors to process the foam, converting it into clean water.
Firefighters' protective gear also historically contained PFAS, raising further health concerns. For instance, Jacobstown Volunteer Fire Chief Robert Gancarz noted that the foam posed health risks, describing it as "like sitting on a bomb." His father, "Boots" Gancarz, a veteran firefighter, was recently diagnosed with colon cancer, highlighting the personal toll of these chemicals. Chief Gancarz's blood test results showed higher-than-average PFAS levels.
