1,600 gallons of PFAS-containing fire extinguishing agent released in Maine

BRUNSWICK, Maine (AP) — A malfunctioning fire suppression system at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station released about 1,600 gallons of firefighting foam containing hazardous per- and polyfluoroalkyl chemicals.

The Maine Regional Redevelopment Authority and Brunswick Executive Airport learned from an electronic alert that a fire suppression system had been activated in Hangar 4 early Monday morning. A firefighter had to wade through foam and water to manually turn off four wall-mounted guns that were supposed to be deployed to suppress the blaze, officials said.

The cause of the leak is under investigation. The system emptied most of the contents of two foam tanks in the hangar, releasing 1,600 gallons of foam and 60,000 gallons of water, officials said.

“We take this situation very seriously and are committed to completing the cleanup as quickly and transparently as possible,” said Kristine Logan, MRRA executive director.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, can be found in everything from food packaging for clothes and are linked to health problems, including several types of cancer. Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency first proposed limits for chemicals in drinking water.

Some fire departments have begun to move away from using foam containing PFAS over concerns that the chemicals could leach into groundwater and put firefighters at risk. Last week, New Hampshire launched a program to collect foam from fire departments. Several fire departments have returned hundreds of gallons of 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 has been on site with cesspool trucks, dams and tanks.

Brunswick Naval Air Station officially closed in 2011, and automatic fire suppression is mandatory in large hangars. The hangars once housed P-3 Orion fighters and other aircraft.