The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) announced in December that it is seeking public comments on a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) outlining five disposal options for aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). Ecology is asking for input, including information on possible public health and environmental impacts and potential mitigation strategies, for incineration, solidification and landfilling, deep-well injection, approved hold-in-place, and no action. Comments received on the draft EIS will help inform the agency’s selection of a disposal method for AFFF.
Those interested in providing comments to the draft EIS can do so online through February 5. Ecology is also hosting a webinar on January 17 at 10 a.m. Pacific and a public hearing on January 31.
Washington prohibited the sale and manufacture of PFAS foams in 2018. In 2020, Ecology initiated a program to help municipal fire departments dispose of unused AFFF. See more on Washington’s toxics in firefighting law here.
