Firefighters grapple with risks from foam laced with toxic "forever chemicals"

Firefighters grapple with risks from foam laced with toxic “forever chemicals”

Benjamin Hughes

Inside Fire Station 22 in Bellbrook, Ohio, Lt. Jay Leach helped remove buckets of firefighting foam known as aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) — a tool undeniably effective at suppressing and smothering fires, but one also laced with PFAS, or so-called “forever chemicals,” which are now linked to various cancers.

“Most firefighters who got into this job know the inherent risks, but we never knew the gear and equipment we’re using is killing us,” Leach said.

Cancer was the cause of 72% of active-duty firefighter deaths last year, according to the International Association of Firefighters. A separate study showed that smoke inhalation causes just 4% of active-duty firefighter deaths.

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Mark Strassmann

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Mark Strassmann is CBS News’ senior national correspondent based in Atlanta. He covers a wide range of stories, including space exploration. Strassmann is also the senior national correspondent for “Face the Nation.”

Source: cbsnews.com