About 60 percent of Colorado fire departments report that they have firefighting foam with synthetic chemicals known as PFAS, according to a recent survey by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The Environmental Protection Agency has linked long-term exposure to the so-called forever chemicals to some forms of cancers and low birth weights.
“We are highly cognizant of how dangerous PFAS can be in terms of the cancer-causing properties for our firefighters,” said Greg Pixley, a public information officer with Denver Fire Department “We are working every effort we can to reduce PFAS in our day-to-day operations.”
PFAS chemicals came into the Colorado limelight back in 2016, when the towns of Security, Widefield and Fountain tested above the EPA health advisory recommendations for levels in drinking water.