Some firefighting materials contain additional toxins, especially perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These ‘class B’ fire extinguishing forms are typically used for training and testing purposes.
Senator Yo, who chairs the Senate’s Environmental Resources and Energy Committee, was a major sponsor of the bill, limiting the use of such substances and encouraging alternative forms that do not use PFAS chemicals.
Senate Bill 302 known as the Fire Extinguishing Foam Control Act, after July 1, 2022, restricted the use of foam containing PFAS chemicals and, in consultation with the State Fire Department Director, evaluated the fire organization to the Pennsylvania Office for Emergency Management (PEMA). And instruct them to assist in the decision. How to move to the use of Class B fire extinguishing foams that do not contain PFAS chemicals. This law does not affect the continued use of fire extinguishing foam in emergencies.
‘Firefighters can face very high levels of PFAS exposure compared to other emergency response personnel,’ said Senator Yaw. ‘PFAS pollution is a public health issue for the people, and the bill is a common-sense response and has already been adopted in many states. It definitely protects the moving firefighters and at the same time we Protects surface water from pollution.'”…