We rely on firefighters to rescue us, and their ranks are dwindling.

Rural states depend heavily on volunteer firefighters: more than 90 percent of Maine’s fire departments are staffed mostly or entirely by volunteers.

For decades, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting foam and turnout gear have exposed firefighters and their communities to a class of chemicals with numerous health risks, including cancer.

Few fire stations have space to isolate gear and equipment with PFAS, and studies have found elevated levels of these toxic chemicals in firehouse dust.

In 2021, Maine restricted the sale of PFAS-laden firefighting foam and banned its use in training. The state also began PFAS testing of agricultural soils and waters. Maine later banned sludge spreading and allocated $70 million to support farmers and other residents affected by sludge containing PFAS.

To date, firefighters have received no support to remove and replace foam that contains PFAS, assess potential medical impacts from past exposure, or determine where previous foam use may have contaminated water.

Maine Morning Star and the Pulitzer Center teamed up to learn more about PFAS in and from firefighting—and what the State could do to reduce risks for first responders and communities.

A Fire Hose
of
‘Forever Chemicals’

by Marina Schauffler

This series was produced in partnership with the