The Pentagon plans to request an extension to phase out toxic firefighting foam containing "forever chemicals" despite a congressional deadline.
Patricia Kime reports for Military.com.
In short:
- The Department of Defense needs more time, possibly until 2026, to switch from PFAS-based firefighting foam to safer alternatives.
- Challenges like high costs, equipment changes, and training hinder the transition to fluorine-free foam, which also struggles in extreme temperatures.
- PFAS chemicals are linked to serious health issues like cancer and lower birth weights, leading to significant soil and water contamination at military sites.
Key quote:
"There are market-ready, PFAS-free firefighting foams that are safe and effective that meet the DoD's new standards for foams. Decades of use of PFAS-laden foams have made military sites some of the most contaminated hot spots for PFAS pollution."
— Melanie Benesh, vice president of government affairs, Environmental Working Group
Why this matters:
It's a classic case of balancing immediate operational needs with long-term health and environmental consequences—a balancing act that keeps getting more precarious as new studies pile up showing just how damaging these chemicals can be. Read more: Pioneering study links testicular cancer among military personnel to ‘forever chemicals.’
