Recent Blog Posts
How Alaska’s DEC Is Addressing AFFF and PFAS Contamination
Posted on September 18, 2025 in Uncategorized
Alaska's really stepping up to face the environmental and health challenges that come with Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) and the chemicals tied to it, known as PFAS. These substances, which are pretty much everywhere in firefighting foams, have sparked some serious health concerns. So, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has rolled out new guidelines to manage these risks effectively. This blog dives into how these guidelines impact firefighters, community members, and the environment's safety. (Which, honestly, is pretty alarming.)
What Are PFAS and Why Should We Be Concerned?
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals that have been in use since the 1950s in a bunch of products, including firefighting foams like AFFF. They're often called "forever chemicals" because they stick around, both in the environment and in our bodies, for a really long time. PFOS and PFOA are specific types of PFAS that you might find in older AFFF stocks, with PFOA sometimes forming as a byproduct during manufacturing. And that's concerning.
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How PFAS in Firefighting Foam Exposes Firefighters to Cancer Risks
Posted on September 15, 2025 in Uncategorized
Firefighters have been dealing with PFAS for quite some time now. These chemicals are pretty much everywhere in firefighting foam and gear. And that's concerning because they pose significant health risks, including cancer. This exposure has sparked growing concern among health experts and the firefighting community. Understanding the impact of these "forever chemicals" is crucial for protecting the health and safety of firefighters, community members, and the environment.
What Are PFAS and Why Are They Called 'Forever Chemicals'?
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals that have been used in various industries and consumer products since the 1940s. They're called "forever chemicals" because they just don't break down in the environment and tend to accumulate in our bodies. Imagine if you had a guest who never left! This can lead to potential health issues like cancer, liver damage, and immune system problems.
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Are PFAS-Free Firefighting Foams Truly Safe for Firefighters?
Posted on September 12, 2025 in Uncategorized
Firefighting foams have become a pretty big deal lately, mainly because of those hazardous PFAS chemicals (often called "forever chemicals"). These chemicals have been a staple in firefighting foams, especially aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF), which were once the go-to solution for fire suppression. But here's the thing: their harmful effects on health and the environment have brought them under scrutiny. This blog dives into the impact of PFAS contamination in firefighting foams and what firefighters and community members need to know about these persistent chemicals. And that's concerning.
What Are PFAS and Why Are They Called "Forever Chemicals"?
Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals used in various industries since the 1960s, including firefighting foams. They're known as "forever chemicals" because they don't break down naturally, leading to their accumulation in the environment and human bodies. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states there's no safe level of PFAS exposure, meaning even small amounts can pose significant health risks over time (which, honestly, is pretty alarming).
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How Fire Station 22 in Bellbrook Battles "Forever Chemicals" in Firefighting Foam
Posted on September 11, 2025 in Uncategorized
Firefighters at Station 22 in Bellbrook, Ohio, are facing a pretty big challenge that goes beyond the immediate dangers of their work. They're dealing with the long-term risks tied to aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF), which contain PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as "forever chemicals." These substances stick around in the environment (which, honestly, is pretty alarming) and are potentially linked to various cancers. And that's concerning. It highlights the urgent need for awareness and action regarding firefighting foam and PFAS contamination, impacting both firefighters and the communities they serve.
What Are PFAS and Why Are They Called "Forever Chemicals"?
PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in all sorts of industrial and consumer products because they can repel water, oil, and grease. They're called "forever chemicals" because they don't easily break down in the environment or the human body, leading to accumulation over time. Imagine if something just wouldn't go away, no matter what. This persistence raises concerns about potential health risks, including cancer, liver damage, and effects on the immune system.
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Understanding the Impact of AFFF on Health and Environment
Posted on September 10, 2025 in Uncategorized
Firefighting foams, especially Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), are pretty much essential when it comes to tackling fuel-based fires. But here's the thing: the chemicals in these foams, mainly PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), have sparked some serious health and environmental worries. This blog dives into how AFFF affects health and the environment, focusing on what firefighters, their families, and our communities are experiencing.
What Are PFAS and Why Are They Used in Firefighting Foam?
PFAS are synthetic chemicals used in all sorts of industries, including firefighting foams like AFFF, because they can create a flame-suppressing barrier. While they're effective, these substances are notorious for sticking around in the environment, which is why they're often called "forever chemicals"—they just don't break down easily.
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Protecting Your Health from PFAS in Firefighting Foam
Posted on September 09, 2025 in Uncategorized
What Are PFAS and Why Are They Used in Firefighting Foam?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that have been around since the 1940s, used in all sorts of industries. They're pretty crucial in aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) because they help firefighters put out flammable liquid fires effectively. PFAS are resistant to heat, oil, and water, which makes them perfect for firefighting. But here's the thing: they stick around in the environment for ages, leading to long-term contamination issues. And that's concerning.
How Does PFAS Contamination Affect Firefighters and Their Families?
Firefighters, unfortunately, get quite a bit of exposure to PFAS through AFFF. These chemicals build up in their bodies over time. This exposure is linked to some serious health problems like liver damage, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, and certain cancers. Sadly, the risk doesn't stop there. It extends to families and communities because PFAS can seep into local water and soil, raising exposure risks. So what does this mean for you?
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Understanding the Impact of Firefighting Foam on PFAS Contamination and Community Health
Posted on September 05, 2025 in Uncategorized
Firefighting foam, especially Class B Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), is really crucial when it comes to putting out fires involving flammable liquids. But here's the catch—it contains Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), which, quite frankly, pose some serious environmental and health risks. The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team is on it, actively tackling PFAS contamination from firefighting foam. This highlights its importance not just for firefighters but for our local communities too.
What Are PFAS and Why Should We Be Concerned?
So, what exactly are PFAS? Well, they're synthetic chemicals found in all sorts of industrial and consumer products, including firefighting foams. Known for being resistant to heat, water, and oil, they're pretty effective in firefighting. However, they stick around in the environment and build up in the human body, which is, understandably, raising alarms about their impact on public health and ecosystems.
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The Hidden Dangers of Firefighting Foam Understanding PFAS Contamination and Health Risks
Posted on September 04, 2025 in Uncategorized
Firefighting foam, especially the kind known as Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), is a pretty big deal when it comes to PFAS contamination. And that's concerning. This issue is critical for firefighters, affected individuals, and community members because of the potential health risks and environmental impact. The Michigan PFAS Action Response Team (MPART) is actively investigating these challenges and providing essential resources to manage the situation. This blog dives into the dangers posed by firefighting foam and what it means for our health and safety.
How Are Firefighting Foam and PFAS Contamination Connected?
Firefighting foam, particularly Class B foam like AFFF, is used to put out fires involving flammable liquids such as gasoline and jet fuel. Its effectiveness comes from its chemical makeup, which often includes per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These chemicals are notorious for sticking around in the environment and have been linked to various health risks. The use of AFFF has led to PFAS contamination in water, soil, and wildlife, raising concerns about environmental and human health. Imagine if these chemicals just didn't go away. Worryingly, that's the case here.
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The Hidden Dangers of Firefighting Foam Understanding PFAS Contamination
Posted on September 03, 2025 in Uncategorized
Firefighting foam, especially Class B foams, is really under the microscope right now because it's linked to PFAS contamination. And that's concerning. This issue is a big deal for both firefighters and people in the community since the health risks are pretty significant. Understanding these risks is key to making smart choices that protect our health and the environment.
What Are PFAS and Why Are They Concerning in Firefighting Foam?
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are synthetic chemicals used in a bunch of industries, including firefighting. They're known for being super resistant to heat, oil, stains, and water. Imagine if you had a material that just wouldn't break down—these "forever chemicals" stick around in the environment and in our bodies. Class B firefighting foams, which are designed for flammable liquid fires, contain PFAS, and that poses contamination risks.
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Understanding the Impact of Firefighting Foam on PFAS Contamination and Health
Posted on September 01, 2025 in Uncategorized
Firefighting foam has been pretty much essential in tackling flammable fuel fires. But here's the thing: its link to PFAS contamination is becoming a real worry. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are those persistent chemicals (which, honestly, is pretty alarming) that pose health risks to both firefighters and our communities. This article dives into how these foams contribute to PFAS exposure and the health implications that follow.
What Are PFAS and Why Are They Linked to Firefighting Foam?
PFAS are synthetic chemicals often called "forever chemicals" because they just don't break down easily in the environment or the human body. Imagine if something you used today stuck around for decades. That's the kind of long-term exposure risk we're talking about. Historically, firefighting foams, especially those used for Class B fires, have contained PFAS because they're super effective at quickly putting out flammable liquid fires.
Class B firefighting foams are crucial for putting out fuel fires, but they're also a major source of PFAS contamination. And that's concerning, raising both environmental and public health issues.
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