Current:Home > News1,600 gallons of firefighting chemicals containing PFAS are released in Maine-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
1,600 gallons of firefighting chemicals containing PFAS are released in Maine
View Date:2024-12-24 00:04:24
BRUNSWICK, Maine (AP) — A malfunctioning fire suppression system at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station released about 1,600 gallons of firefighting foam containing dangerous per-and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals.
Officials at the Maine Regional Redevelopment Authority and Brunswick Executive Airport learned from an electronic notification that the fire suppression system was engaged Monday morning in Hangar 4. A firefighter had to wade through foam and water to manually shut off the four wall-mounted cannons designed to activate to suppress a fire, officials said.
The cause of the discharge is under investigation. The system drained most of the contents of the hangar’s two foam tanks, releasing 1,600 gallons of foam and 60,000 gallons of water, officials said.
“We take this situation very seriously and are committed to addressing the cleanup with the utmost urgency and transparency,” said Kristine Logan, MRRA’s executive director.
Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are found in everything from food packaging to clothing and are associated with health problems including several types of cancer. Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency, for the first time, proposed limits on the chemicals in drinking water.
Some fire departments have begun shifting away from using foam containing PFAS over concerns the chemicals can leach into groundwater and put firefighters at risk. Last week, New Hampshire launched a program to collect foam from fire departments. Several departments turned in hundreds of gallons of the foam, which will be transported and disposed of by a private company.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is overseeing the cleanup effort, and Clean Harbors of South Portland was on site with vacuum trucks, containment booms and tanks.
Brunswick Naval Air Station officially closed in 2011, and automated fire suppression is mandated in large hangars. The hangars once housed P-3 Orion subhunters and other aircraft.
veryGood! (3734)
Related
- Darren Criss on why playing a robot in 'Maybe Happy Ending' makes him want to cry
- US Open Day 2: Dan Evans wins marathon match; Li Tu holds his own against Carlos Alcaraz
- Auditor faults Pennsylvania agency over fees from Medicaid-funded prescriptions
- CDC reports 5 more deaths, new cases in Boar's Head listeria outbreak since early August
- Lions QB Jared Goff, despite 5 interceptions, dared to become cold-blooded
- NFL cuts 2024: Recapping major moves on Tuesday's roster cutdown day
- College football Week 1 predictions and looking back at Florida State in this week's podcast
- 'Heinous, atrocious and cruel': Man gets death penalty in random killings of Florida woman
- A growing and aging population is forcing Texas counties to seek state EMS funding
- Adam Sandler Responds to Haters of His Goofy Fashion
Ranking
- Chicago Bears will ruin Caleb Williams if they're not careful | Opinion
- Armie Hammer sells his truck to save money after cannibalism scandal
- Armie Hammer Reveals He’s Selling His Truck Since He “Can’t Afford the Gas Anymore”
- K-pop singer Taeil leaves boyband NCT over accusation of an unspecified sexual crime, his label says
- Why was Jalen Ramsey traded? Dolphins CB facing former team on 'Monday Night Football'
- Mae Whitman Gives Birth, Names Her First Baby After Parenthood Costar
- Slow down! Michigan mom's texts to son may come back to haunt her
- American Idol's Scotty McCreery Stops Show After Seeing Man Hit Woman in the Crowd
Recommendation
-
Oprah Winfrey denies being paid $1M for Kamala Harris rally: 'I was not paid a dime'
-
Armie Hammer Reveals He’s Selling His Truck Since He “Can’t Afford the Gas Anymore”
-
Memphis, Tennessee murder suspect crashes through ceiling as US Marshals search for him
-
Residents in Boston suburb raised $20K after town officials shut down boy’s ice cream stand
-
It's Red Cup Day at Starbucks: Here's how to get your holiday cup and cash in on deals
-
Militia group member sentenced to 5 years in prison for Capitol riot plot
-
Who aced the NHL offseason? Grading all 32 teams on their moves
-
FEMA opens disaster recovery centers in Vermont after last month’s floods