Cancer-causing chemicals like the ones threatening West Plains water supplies would be banned for local firefighters starting in 2020, under a bill that received final approval from the Legislature Monday.
Fire-fighting foam that contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluorakyl, known as PFAS, are used to on flammable liquid fires, including aviation fuels. The chemicals are also applied to firefighters protective gear.
The use of foam with PFAS for training at Fairchild Air Force Base has been linked to water contamination in Airway Heights. The chemicals are extremely mobile and get quickly into underground water supplies, legislative committees were told.