AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Emergency Management Agency plans to survey fire departments across the state about a firefighting foam containing toxic chemicals.
The Portland Press Herald reports that the survey could be the first step in a potential take-back and disposal program for chemicals known as PFAS.
For decades, military and civilian firefighters used special foam containing PFAS to smother intense flames caused by fuel fires. Manufacturers can no longer use two variants of the chemicals, but large amounts of PFAS-containing foam are still in fire stations or response trucks nationwide.
Faith Staples from the Maine Emergency Management Agency says the questionnaire and inventory will likely be modeled after similar efforts in other states, including Massachusetts and Connecticut.