PFAS (short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are human-made chemicals used for decades in many household and industrial products for their resistance to heat, fire, stains and water. Dubbed “forever chemicals,” they don’t break down naturally and can accumulate over time in our environment and our bodies. There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects, spurring communities around the world to take action.
We are helping to lead research to better understand PFAS and protect our community by joining national, state and local PFAS working groups where we learn and share best practices from experts at every level.
Let’s take a closer look at how we’re protecting our community.
We collaborate with Boise’s drinking water provider Veolia, plus the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and the Idaho Department of Water Resources to keep up with changes to water quality standards.
Our drinking water tests below the EPA’s drinking water standard of four parts per trillion for PFAS.
PFAS from the products we use - from cleaning products to the clothes we wash – go down our drains to Boise’s water renewal facilities. To reduce PFAS at its sources, we test water used by local businesses and industries and help them find PFAS-free replacement products that won’t add these chemicals to our environment.
We regularly collect samples at our water renewal facilities, where we measure PFAS levels in parts per trillion - the equivalent of one drop of water in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Our water regularly tests below levels considered safe for human health.
In the past, airports used PFAS-containing Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) to extinguish fires. We no longer use this foam except for specific fire-suppression scenarios in which its use is federally-required. Cleanup and disposal protocols are followed if used.
The Federal Aviation Administration has approved transitioning to a non-PFAS firefighting foam it as it becomes available.
Our firefighters have transitioned to using PFAS-free firefighting foam. With the help of Ada County Emergency Management, Boise Fire secured a TAG grant from the State of Idaho to purchase 4,000 gallons of fluorine free foam (F3) which replaces the PFAS/PFOS ARFF foams.
Quite a lot! PFAS enters our environment from the products we buy for ourselves and our homes. You can help reduce exposure to PFAS by learning which to products to avoid.
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