News reports exposed that the dangers posed by firefighting foams used on military bases — including those in Bucks and Montgomery counties — were discussed and considered by industry professionals as early as 2001.
By Tom Waring
The Times
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Patrick Meehan and Brendan Boyle are requesting information from the Pentagon after news reports exposed that the dangers posed by firefighting foams used on military bases — including those in Bucks and Montgomery counties — were discussed and considered by industry professionals as early as 2001. The report also notes the existence of a Department of Defense letter “describing 3M’s PFOS-based products as ‘persistent, bioaccumulating, and toxic’ and referenced a March 16, 2001, meeting at DoD (Department of Defense) to discuss what actions they should take about the foams.”
In a letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis, Fitzpatrick, Meehan and Boyle are asking for a copy of the 2001 DoD letter and additional information relating to PFCs from that time.
“If these minutes accurately captured the content of the 2001 NFPA meeting, they show that DoD was aware of problems regarding the use of PFC-based firefighting foams long before any effort was made to discontinue their use or protect the public, in places like Horsham, Warminster, and Warrington, from further exposure,” the letter reads, in part. “In response to the revelation of this information, we respectfully request a copy of the letter from the Undersecretary of Defense referenced in the minutes, any additional information from 2001 that explains DoD’s understanding of the ‘persistent, bioaccumulating and toxic’ nature of PFCs, and further details regarding the March 16, 2001 meeting at DoD related to PFCs.” ••
