Buckeye Reporter

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine today announced a new statewide initiative to collect and destroy stockpiled firefighting foam containing hazardous polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

The new Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) Takeback Program will operate in partnership between the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, State Fire Marshal's Office, and Battelle. Using Battelle's patented PFAS AnnihilatorTM  technology, AFFF will be exposed to supercritical water oxidation, which effectively destroys AFFF and PFAS-contaminated wastewater to non-detectable levels.

“Until now, fire departments have had no way to safely dispose of this toxic foam," said Governor DeWine. "With this new program, we'll now be able to completely destroy AFFF to prevent dangerous exposure to PFAS and avoid environmental contamination."

The project is funded with $3 million in settlement money that Ohio received as part of the state's polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) enforcement case against Monsanto, which was filed by then-Attorney General DeWine in 2018. 

The program will be open to all Ohio fire departments, local governments, and government-owned airports. More information on how to participate will be released in coming weeks. Battelle and its subcontractor, Revive Environmental Technology, will provide program management, technical expertise, and analytical laboratory support. 

"The Ohio EPA appreciates and shares Governor DeWine’s commitment to making Ohioans healthier. I am excited to partner with Battelle as we continue to address the environmental and health risks associated with ‘forever chemicals’ and we look forward to rolling out this take-back program across the state to remove this potential source of future contamination,” said Ohio EPA Director Anne Vogel.    

"We’re proud to work with the state of Ohio on this important initiative. This is exactly what Battelle does. We develop science and innovative, real-world technology to address serious threats to the environment and people's health,” said Battelle President and CEO, Lou Von Thaer. “Through Revive Environmental, we are able to scale thePFAS Annihilator TM technology to help keep firefighters, citizens and drinking water safe in Ohio and the nation.” 

"Today marks a significant advancement in ensuring the safety of our communities and protecting our environment," State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon said. "With Ohio EPA's funding for the AFFF Takeback Program, fire departments across the state can now remove these compounds from their shelves with confidence, knowing they will be securely and effectively remediated."

The creation of the Aqueous Film Forming Foam Takeback Program is the latest effort by the DeWine-Husted Administration to address PFAS contamination in Ohio. In 2019, Governor DeWine ordered the development of a PFAS Action Plan to sample Ohio's public drinking water systems for certain PFAS compounds, and last year, Ohio launched a statewide survey to measure the prevalence of PFAS in large rivers. In March 2022, Governor DeWine signed a bill prohibiting the use of AFFF in firefighter training exercises. 

Original source can be found here.