PFOA and PFOS were used early on to solve a problem in protecting human life. The problem? In 1967, a fire occurred aboard the USS Forrestal during combat operations. Firefighting foams used on the U.S. ships at the time were made from proteins and were ineffective. As a result, 134 sailors died and 161 were injured. PFOA/PFOS was later put into the foam with remarkably protective results.
Yes, PFOA/PFOS foams are very good at putting out fires and have been used extensively in the past. Unfortunately, at present, there is no alternative to fluorinated firefighting foams that maintains the superior performance characteristics as the current versions.
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In Maine, organic farmers are being sued for levels of PFOA and related chemicals in their soils. Underwear manufacturers are being sued for PFOA and related chemicals in their products. The number of lawsuits is voluminous and in many areas. Where will this all end? I’m afraid it’s not going to because we have such widespread, low-level contamination. The question we need to consider before spending billions of dollars on litigation is whether this low-level contamination is a health risk, and for this we need to get the correct safe dose, as mentioned above.
