Firefighters, Community and Environmental Advocates Applaud Action on Harmful Firefighting Foam

Denver, CO—Yesterday evening, the Colorado Senate passed the Firefighting Foams Control Act (HB 19-1279) to ban the sale of firefighting foams that contain harmful PFAS. The bill will head to Governor Jared Polis’ desk for his signature.

Thousands of Coloradans have already seen their health impacted by Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) chemicals, which are virtually everywhere—in food packaging, household products and most dangerously in “Class B” or “AFFF” foams, which are used to fight high temperature fires. The use of PFAS-laden firefighting foams in Colorado has meant that these harmful PFAS chemicals have ended up in our drinking water and on the suits and equipment of our firefighters.

Even low levels of PFAS concentrations increase people's risk of cancer, thyroid problems, and kidney damage. Exposure during pregnancy and childhood can permanently impair children's health and development.

The bipartisan Firefighting Foams Control Act - House Bill 1279 - will prohibit the sale of harmful PFAS foam and require disclosures when the chemicals are used for firefighting gear.

“For more than four decades, PFAS has been used in firefighting foam used by firefighters. PFAS are referred to as ‘forever chemicals’ as they take nearly a century to disappear from the soil and groundwater where they accumulate,” said Mark Frainier, President of the Colorado Professional Firefighters. “The Colorado Professional Firefighters supports the complete eradication of these dangerous chemicals.”

“Clean and safe drinking water is a bipartisan issue. With strong support in the House and Senate, the Colorado legislature showed that it is taking PFAS contamination seriously. We urge Governor Polis to sign HB 1279 to protect firefighters and communities from further contamination and exposure to harmful PFAS chemicals in Colorado,” said Fran Silva-Blayney, Vice Chair of the Colorado Sierra Club Chapter Executive Committee.

“Community members from the Fountain Valley area are feeling encouraged with the passing of this bill because it will end the sale of PFAS in fire fighting foams. This is the critical first step in protecting Colorado drinking water supplies from pollution by these toxic ´forever chemicals´´, said Liz Rosenbaum, of the Fountain Valley Clean Water Coalition. ¨Our community is very grateful to the firefighters, bill sponsors, and the Sierra Club who stood up for clean water and healthy communities.”

“Reaching across the aisle, Colorado legislators just passed one of the most effective protections against PFAS pollution we’ve seen in this country to date. Banning the sale of toxic firefighting foams will ensure we protect precious water resources and the communities who depend on them,” said Sonya Lunder, Senior Toxics Adviser at the Sierra Club.  “Other states should follow Colorado by example. We must continue to restrict PFAS uses to protect our firefighters, as well as children who are especially vulnerable to these toxic chemicals.”

PFAS chemicals have poisoned drinking water for thousands of Colorado residents, particularly in the communities of Fountain, Security and Widefield near Colorado Springs. PFAS chemicals cannot be broken down in the environment or in people’s bodies.