Cape Cod's Municipal Drinking Water Supply May Be Contaminated With PFAS Forever Chemicals

Soil testing is the key to fighting AFFF and PFAS forever chemical groundwater contamination

Thursday, November 2, 2023 - Firefighting foam (AFFF) is made from deadly PFAS forever chemicals that do not break down organically and can remain in the soil for centuries, hence the name forever chemicals. Once the invisible chemicals get into the soil they remain there and steadily leach their contaminates into the underground water table leading to rivers, lakes, streams, and more importantly, to water treatment facilities, polluting them. Shutting down these water facilities is like putting a band-aid on a gunshot wound as the water that will feed any future water treatment plant will be polluted. Only once the contaminated soil is identified and removed through remediation efforts will future water systems approach safe drinking water standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Attorney Generals from a growing number of US states are filing AFFF lawsuits against 3M, DuPont, and about a dozen other manufacturers of firefighting foam to collect funds to remediate soil surrounding municipal firefighting stations, airports, and military installations that use and train with firefighting foam. PFAS forever chemical soil contamination from improperly disposed of AFFF firefighting foam has created a steady stream of pollution persisting, in some instances, for decades after the foam's use was discontinued. Sources tell reporters in Massachusetts that Cape Cod's municipal drinking water supplies may have been catastrophically contaminated with PFAS chemicals from the soil and the pollution has persisted for decades. " So-called "forever chemicals" from a fire training site at Joint Base Cape Cod are still leaching into groundwater decades after training took place, according to a new study from Harvard researchers. The site was contaminated with PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam. The study also finds that the slow drip of PFAS compounds through the soil into groundwater will likely continue for centuries unless it's remediated, potentially creating a long-term public health problem. The site is a known source of drinking water contamination for the nearby towns of Falmouth and Mashpee," according to WBUR.org.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been the subject of considerable scrutiny due to their wide-ranging applications and potential implications for the environment and human health. Two prominent corporations, 3M and DuPont, have been linked to the production of firefighting foam that contains PFAS, resulting in contamination of water sources, soil, and ecosystems. PFAS compounds are prized for their resistance to high temperatures, water, and oil, making them ideal components in firefighting foam. However, their intrinsic persistence means that they do not readily degrade in the environment, causing concerns related to bioaccumulation and potential health risks. Dr. Jane Anderson, a respected environmental scientist, underscores the severity of the situation: "PFAS contamination from firefighting foam is a pressing issue, given the established associations between these compounds and various health problems, including cancer, immune system dysfunction, and developmental disorders. Moreover, these substances can infiltrate water reservoirs, imperiling communities' access to clean drinking water." Both 3M and DuPont have faced legal actions and regulatory scrutiny in connection with their involvement in PFAS-containing products, motivating increased research and public awareness. Scientists, regulatory agencies, and industry players are diligently working toward the development of safer firefighting foam alternatives and addressing the historical contamination of PFAS in affected regions.

Information provided by AFFFLawsuitCenter.com, a website devoted to providing news about AFFF and PFAS cancer, lymphoma and leukaemia claims, including a free no-cost, no-obligation AFFF Lawsuit Claim.