Read the full article by Dan Kitkowski (Eagle Herald)
“MARINETTE—Fire chiefs across Wisconsin are working with state governmental leaders to secure funding for the collection and disposal of firefighting foam that carry dangerous levels of PFAS.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemical compounds that, due to their unique properties, are widely used in industry and the production of everyday products like nonstick coatings for cookware, stain-repellent coatings for clothes and carpeting, detergents, cleaning products and firefighting foams. Scientists refer to PFAS as ‘forever chemicals’ because their chemistry keeps them from breaking down under typical environmental conditions.
PFAS chemicals, which have turned up in drinking water in cities across the U.S., including this area, have been linked to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and kidney, testicular, prostate, breast, liver and ovarian cancers.
Marinette Fire Chief Jay Heckel presented his monthly report Monday to the Public Safety and Code Enforcement Committee. Alderman Doug Oitzinger, a committee member, noticed some ‘PFAS correspondence’ in the report and he asked Heckel to expand on that topic.
The chief explained that, for about a year, the Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association (WSFCA) has been working with state Department of Natural Resources representatives to come up with measures that could help alleviate some of the concerns about PFAS…”