On Thursday Michigan began its program to collect and dispose of firefighting foams containing a dangerous chemical.
The firefighting foams contain PFAs, or perfluoroalkyl substances, a family of chemicals that are linked to health problems including cancer.
PFAs foams are especially effective in putting out chemical fires and are stored at airports and more than 300 fire departments across the state.
Scott Dean is with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. He said many airports and fire stations were happy to get rid of the foams.
“Under this $1.4 million contract with US Ecology the state is collecting roughly 35-thousand gallons of this foam concentrate which will be shipped to Idaho and disposed of at a hazardous waste landfill,” he said.
According to Dean, the program may be the largest of its kind in the country.
“The folks at US Ecology tell us this is the largest program they’ve ever administered for a state. It’s quite possibly one of the biggest in the nation in terms of the collection. 35-thousand gallons is a lot of firefighting foam.”
Dean said the department isn’t requiring the foams be handed over because they are effective in fighting chemical fires.
“We want them to have the tools they need to protect the public. In any accident involving a hydrocarbon, a gasoline fire where human life is in danger they need to use any tool that is in their toolbox.”
But, Dean said, the department has put out guidelines cutting any training with the foam and requiring reporting when it’s used.
And, he said, participation in the program has been overwhelming.