NH is first state to partner with ‘PFAS Annihilator’ to destroy firefighting foams

In 2019, the state of New Hampshire banned firefighting foams containing PFAS chemicals, as mounting evidence linked the widely used fire suppressant to higher cancer rates among firefighters and contamination of drinking water. 

And yet, fire departments around the state are still storing these now-prohibited foams on site. That’s because, up until now, there wasn’t a safe or effective way to dispose of them. 

New Hampshire is the inaugural state to partner with new “PFAS Annihilator” technology, believed to be a first-to-the-market solution from Ohio-based Revive Environmental. Under its contract with Revive, the state is expected to remove and dispose of 10,000 gallons of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) through a takeback program with municipal fire departments. 

“The need to remove these toxic PFAS-containing foams from firehouses throughout New Hampshire is a must,” said Brian Ryll, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire. “As it stands now, many fire departments across the state have a stockpile of these foam products that are not able to be used. As time goes by, the likelihood of inadvertent use or exposure to these products increases.”

Read the full article here.