Lawmakers are moving to undo protections against toxic PFAS, opening the door to more exposure for service members, firefighters, and nearby communities.
Shannon Kelleher reports for The New Lede.
In short:
- The Senate’s draft of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act would lift a ban on military incineration of PFAS waste and reverse restrictions on PFAS in cookware, carpet, and other supplies, while the House plan would delay a phaseout of PFAS-based firefighting foams.
- Environmental groups warn that Congress is also slashing nearly $200 million from the Pentagon’s cleanup budget, despite toxic PFAS already found in groundwater at 630 military sites, with dozens still above U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking water limits.
- Advocates say PFAS-free firefighting foam alternatives exist and that incineration without strict standards risks spreading contamination through air and soil.
Key quote:
“I shudder at the thought of my six-year-old daughter going out to play and breathing in PFAS. Repealing the DOD moratorium on incinerating PFAS could have serious health repercussions for people and families living nearby.”
— Rachel Meyer, Moms Clean Air Force
Why this matters:
PFAS are linked to cancers, immune issues, and reproductive harm. Weakening protections for troops and firefighters not only risks their health but also worsens a nationwide contamination crisis already threatening drinking water supplies. While industry talks about costs and convenience, it’s firefighters, soldiers, and kids drinking from contaminated taps who are forced to pay the real price.
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