Toxic Heavy Metals Found in U.S. Wildfire Suppressants, Study Reveals

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Southern California has revealed that pink wildfire suppressants used extensively in the U.S. are contaminated with toxic heavy metals such as cadmium, arsenic, and chromium. According to the study, which involved testing ten commonly used suppressants, these substances may contain metal levels up to 3,000 times higher than federal drinking water limits.

Historically, the U.S. federal government and chemical manufacturers have kept the exact composition of these suppressants secret, claiming that up to 20% of their ingredients are trade secrets, thus exempt from public disclosure. The researchers highlighted a growing concern as approximately 440 million gallons of these suppressants were used between 2009 and 2021. They emphasized the potential environmental contamination and raised the question of whether existing hazardous waste thresholds are adequate, especially when these chemicals are deployed in populated areas.

The study sheds light on the trade-off between using hazardous materials for fire containment and the risks posed to public health and the environment, amid escalating wildfire occurrences across the region.