Soybean-based firefighting foam could replace ‘forever chemical’ foam

A bill advancing through the Iowa Senate would require fire districts and city councils in the state to consider switching to a soybean-based firefighting foam in an effort to reduce exposure to forever chemicals.

Traditional firefighting foam contains perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, which some research indicates is linked to a higher risk of certain cancers.

Sen. Cherielynn Westrich, R-Ottumwa, said during the subcommittee hearing that PFAS exposure is so widespread that the chemicals have been found in the bloodstreams of newborn babies.

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“This is a tragedy,” Westrich said. “We need to start pulling back with a lot of force on everything that contains PFAS, and then maybe at some point, you know, 200 years from now, we’ll have humans that are born without this horrifying chemical in their system.”

Senate Study Bill 3099, as it was proposed, would have required state agencies to purchase soybean-based firefighting foam that did not contain PFAS.

Sen. Scott Webster, R-Bettendorf, who chaired the subcommittee, said he intends to amend the bill to instead require fire districts and city councils to consider adopting the soy-based foam.

“I think that’s a good start, rather than just mandating it,” Webster said. “I know that it’s passed some tests, I want fire professionals in their local districts to make that decision, to decide whether or not this is something to use,” Webster said.

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What is soybean foam?

Dave Garlie, a managing partner with Cross Plains Solutions, a group that manufactures a PFAS-free firefighting product called “soyfoam,” spoke to senators at the committee about the product.

Garlie said the soyfoam is made from soybean meal sourced from a Cedar Rapids facility and is able to extinguish both class A and class B fires, or those involving paper, wood, straw, vegetation, gasoline and oil.

Garlie said the idea for the foam comes from history. During World War II, scientist Percy Julian invented a soybean protein mixture that was used to suppress oil and gas fires on aircrafts and ships.

PFAS-based foams rose to popularity in the 1970s and have since been widely used in firefighting and military operations.

Garlie said the soyfoam has performed well in tests against other firefighting foams.

“Every time we go head to head with another competitive foam … we always come out on top,” Garlie said.

The bill was supported the the Iowa Soybean Association, Central Iowa Water Works and two firefighter groups.

Lon Anderson with Iowa Professional Fire Fighters said his group currently has several members battling cancer, and “the evidence suggests that at least some of that cancer is due to PFAS.”

According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, occupational cancer is the “leading cause” of death in the fire service. The association also said PFAS in protective gear poses an “unnecessary occupational threat” to firefighters.

“We’re in support of the bill and anything we can do to limit PFAS,” Anderson said. “And if we can help our soybean farmers at the same time.”

Westrich said she’d “appreciate” a mandate to use the PFAS-free foam, but said she would support Webster’s amendment. Sen. Renee Hardman, D-West Des Moines also signed off on the bill.

This article first appeared in the Iowa Capital Dispatch.