New Mexico has adopted rules to allow state environment officials to regulate fire-fighting foam containing so-called 鈥渇orever chemicals鈥� as hazardous waste, the first state in the country to apply the strict requirements to the substance. A unanimous decision by the state Environmental Improvement Board on Monday allows the New Mexico Environment Department to monitor and limit the use of the firefighting foams that have polluted groundwater in and around military installations in New Mexico. The rules are the result of law enacted last year.
State environment officials can now treat AFFF substances as they do other toxic substances, such as lead or benzene.The state will roll out efforts to document where the foams are stored, on military bases, oil fields or other areas that require immediate fire suppression. The rules require facilities that store the foams to report the quantities to the environmental department.
鈥淒esignating discarded PFAS-laden firefighting foams as a hazardous waste means the Environment Department can require cleanup,鈥� Environment Secretary James Kenney said in a statement. 鈥淭his week鈥檚 decision puts to rest any argument to the contrary and will help expedite cleanup efforts around military installations.鈥�