New Jersey is accelerating the removal and destruction of firefighting foam that contains cancer-linked per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, a step officials say is necessary to reduce long-term health risks for firefighters and communities.
State agencies have collected more than 150,000 gallons of aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF, from hundreds of fire departments across New Jersey. The material has been transported to an Ohio firm that uses high-temperature, supercritical water processing to destroy PFAS compounds, according to company statements and reporting.
What this means for local departments
Departments that once relied on AFFF for decades are being asked to inventory, store and turn over existing supplies. Fire chiefs say the move requires careful handling and logistics because departments must keep replacement foam and training materials on hand while avoiding further contamination.
- Collected so far: More than 150,000 gallons of AFFF
- Example department: Jacobstown Volunteer Fire Company removed 580 gallons
- Destruction method: Supercritical water reactors, operated by an Ohio company
Jacobstown Volunteer Fire Chief Robert Gancarz described the relief of removing stockpiles but also the anxiety that led to the change. "How am I going to get rid of this?" he said, explaining why his department shipped out its AFFF supply. His father, a longtime firefighter, has since been diagnosed with colon cancer — a diagnosis he and local officials linked to concerns about PFAS exposure.
"The very tools I am using can cause health problems," Robert Gancarz told reporters. "They can kill you."
Why PFAS matter
PFAS chemicals are persistent in the environment and in human bodies; they do not break down easily. Studies have associated PFAS exposure with higher risks of certain cancers and other health effects, particularly among people with repeated occupational exposure such as firefighters. In recent years, awareness of those risks has prompted state and federal actions to limit PFAS in products and to address contaminated sites.
| Item | Figure / Detail |
|---|---|
| Foam collected from New Jersey | 150,000+ gallons |
| Example department removal | 580 gallons (Jacobstown Volunteer Fire Company) |
| Company handling destruction | Revive Environmental (Ohio; supercritical water reactors) |
Fire departments are transitioning to PFAS-free firefighting foams for operations and training. Some alternatives require slightly higher application volumes but are marketed as effective and less hazardous to health.
State officials coordinating the program say the priority is reducing exposure for firefighters and the public while ensuring fire suppression capability is not compromised. Departments are being advised on inventory, transport and replacement options as part of the statewide effort.
For residents and local governments, the program underscores an emerging set of responsibilities: tracking legacy PFAS-containing products, funding safe disposal and monitoring contamination at training sites and stations. Environmental regulators across the region continue to evaluate the long-term cleanup and health monitoring needs stemming from legacy AFFF use.
Reporting for this article included interviews and public accounts from New Jersey fire departments and officials involved in the collection and destruction effort.
