Department of Ecology
Committees, Boards, and Workgroups

The Department of Ecology uses this site to share information and solicit feedback on the environmental, health, and social impacts of a collection and disposal program for firefighting foam containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The Washington State Legislature allocated funds for Ecology to collect, transport, and dispose of PFAS containing firefighting foam owned by municipal fire departments. 

Ecology investigated disposal options for PFAS containing firefighting foam and conducted a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review. The review indicated that our next steps were to evaluate the potential environmental, public health, and social impacts of our collection and disposal program before proceeding. A third party consultant will complete this evaluation through an Environmental Impact Statement.

The use of firefighting foam for emergencies and training is believed to be the source of PFAS ground and drinking water contamination around the state, including in communities such as Airway Heights, Issaquah, Lakewood, and on Whidbey Island. PFAS are called “forever chemicals” because there is no known natural process to break them down. PFAS are detrimental to both human and wildlife health at low levels, and are found throughout the globe.

To stay up to date on Ecology’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), subscribe to the firefighting foam email list.

• Comuníquese con nosotros a hwtrpubs@ecy.wa.gov si usted necesita ayuda con servicios de interpretación o materiales traducidos a otro idioma.
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• 통역서비스나 다른 언어로 번역된 자료가 필요하시면 저희에게 이메일 (hwtrpubs@ecy.wa.gov) 로 연락하세요.
• 如需翻譯服務或其它語種材料請發送郵件至hwtrpubs@ecy.wa.gov 聯繫我們。

Share your feedback on the study’s scope

The disposal options we are currently considering include:

• Incineration
• Landfill
• Deep Well Injection
• Collect and hold until new technologies are available
• Leave in place until new technologies are available

Ecology wants public input on the scope of issues that we should address in this EIS. Scoping helps us determine what resources will be impacted by this collection and disposal program. We will use your feedback to help write a draft EIS. Please send comments to Sean Smith at sean.smith@ecy.wa.gov.

We expect to publish the draft EIS for public comment by Fall 2022.

Related information

• Toxics in Firefighting Agents and Equipment Law
• Ecology’s Toxics in Firefighting Law webpage
• Ecology’s PFAS webpage

Contact

Sean Smith
Department of Ecology | Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program
425-649-4495
sean.smith@ecy.wa.gov