PFAS Contamination Crisis deepens: New Legislation Aims too protect Water & Firefighters

HARRISBURG, PA – A new Pennsylvania law is poised to address the widespread contamination of water sources and increased health risks faced by firefighters due to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), frequently enough called “forever chemicals.” The legislation, signed into law[Date-[Date-This needs to be added when the law is officially signed], builds on growing national concern over the pervasive presence of thes chemicals and their documented health impacts.

For decades, Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), a highly effective fire suppressant, has been utilized at military bases, airports, and fire training facilities across the country – and Pennsylvania is no exception. However, AFFF contains PFAS, a class of over 9,000 chemicals known for their persistence in the environment and the human body. This persistence, coupled with mounting evidence of health risks, has triggered a nationwide reckoning.The issue isn’t limited to intentional use. Aircraft hangars equipped with automatic fire suppression systems routinely discharged AFFF, even during false alarms. Accidental releases have been a common occurrence nationwide, raising notable environmental concerns. Former maintenance personnel like Robert Grow recall frequent exposure. “I was frequently required to walk through knee-high and waist-high foam, shut the system off and help wash the foam down the drain,” Grow stated, adding that at the time, it was simply considered “soapy water” and the potential dangers were unknown.

The consequences of this widespread use are now starkly visible in Pennsylvania. In 2014, PFAS chemicals were detected in the drinking water supplies of Horsham Township, Bucks County, a situation linked to the former Naval Air Station Joint reserve Base Willow Grove (now the Horsham Air Guard Station). The contamination prompted extensive testing and remediation efforts, but the problem extends far beyond Horsham.

Firefighters themselves are notably vulnerable. Travis Temarantz, a firefighter in Wilkes-Barre and advocate for toxin-free equipment, described the routine exposure during training: “you went out, you were covered in it… it was on your hands, it was on your face… you woudl be breathing it in.” This exposure is particularly alarming given that cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths among firefighters, and research, including a study published in PMC, demonstrates a clear link between PFAS exposure and increased cancer risk.

The new Pennsylvania law aims to address these issues on multiple fronts. It will[Specificallydetailwhatthelawdoes-[Specificallydetailwhatthelawdoes-This needs to be added when the law is officially signed],building on federal actions already underway.The U.S. Department of Defense began phasing out AFFF in March 2024, as outlined in a Federal Register notice. Fifteen states have already enacted bans on AFFF usage. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) implemented regulations in 2023 requiring water providers to test for and treat PFAS,aiming to reduce levels to near zero,though some of these rules are currently under review.

Though, the legacy of PFAS contamination is proving incredibly tough to erase. A tire fire in Sellersville, Bucks County, in 1986, extinguished with AFFF, continues to contaminate local wells nearly 40 years later, as identified by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and linked to Bergeys Tires. Brian Lattimer, a mechanical engineering professor at Virginia Tech specializing in fire research, explains the problem: “When you spray these onto surfaces, they’re able to easily migrate through the environment, down into the soil or into the water streams, and that creates an environmental hazard.”

Key Details Not Included in Original Article:

Specific PFAS Compounds: The article doesn’t specify which PFAS compounds are most prevalent in Pennsylvania contamination (e.g., PFOS, PFOA, GenX).
Remediation Costs: The financial burden of PFAS remediation for municipalities and taxpayers is not addressed.Horsham Township, for example, has spent millions on water treatment.
Affected Water Systems: A extensive list of Pennsylvania water systems impacted by PFAS contamination is missing.(The DEP maintains a list, but it’s not referenced).
Health Studies: Details of ongoing health studies examining the impact of PFAS exposure on Pennsylvania residents are absent.
Bergeys Tires: The specific identification of Bergeys Tires as the source of contamination in Sellersville is a crucial detail.
EPA Rule Weakening: The article mentions proposed weakening of EPA rules but lacks specifics on which rules are being reconsidered.

This legislation represents a critical step towards protecting public health and the environment in Pennsylvania, but the long-term challenges of addressing PFAS contamination remain substantial.Continued monitoring, research, and investment in remediation technologies will be essential to mitigate the risks posed by these “forever chemicals.”