Brown Demands That Department of Defense Block Further PFAS Incineration in East Liverpool

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) called on the Department of Defense to block the resumption of incineration as an approved PFAS disposal method in East Liverpool and communities across the country. PFAS - perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances - often referred to as "forever chemicals" - pose a threat to public health and is designated by the EPA as a hazardous substance.

"Researchers have shown that East Liverpool has measurable soil samples of PFAS due to the years of incineration that took place between 2019 and the start of DoD's moratorium," said Brown.

Brown continued, "I am concerned by recent reports that indicate the DoD is seeking approval to once again incinerate PFAS. This would be a mistake. PFAS do not break down easily and are linked to a variety of serious health issues, including cancer, liver damage, fertility problems, and developmental problems in children. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s recent designation of PFAS as a 'hazardous substance' provides further validation that the disposal of [Aqueous Film Forming Foam] must be handled with extreme caution and transparency."

Full text of the letter can be found HERE or below.

Dear Secretary Austin:

The research is clear: perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) - often referred to as "forever chemicals" - pose a threat to public health. I request that the Department of Defense (DoD) refrain from approving PFAS incineration, including in East Liverpool, Ohio, until clear steps are taken to both ensure community safety and address community concerns.

Wherever PFAS are found, every effort must be made to limit their spread and remove them from the environment in a manner that is safe and effective. Historically, several techniques have been used to get rid of PFAS - including incineration. However, given concerns about the safety of PFAS incineration, the DoD issued a moratorium in July 2023 banning the incineration of PFAS^[1] to protect the public health and mitigate potential environmental damage. This moratorium ended the practice of incinerating PFAS waste in East Liverpool Ohio, where DoD had contracted with a third-party company to incinerate these forever chemicals, including Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), since 2019. Researchers have shown that East Liverpool has measurable soil samples of PFAS due to the years of incineration that took place between 2019 and the start of DoD's moratorium.^[2]

I am concerned by recent reports that indicate the DoD is seeking approval to once again incinerate PFAS. This would be a mistake. PFAS do not break down easily and are linked to a variety of serious health issues, including cancer, liver damage, fertility problems, and developmental problems in children. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s recent designation of PFAS as a "hazardous substance" provides further validation that the disposal of AFFF must be handled with extreme caution and transparency.

It is my understanding that DoD is actively working to update its PFAS waste disposal guidance. As you can imagine, communities like East Liverpool are concerned about the potential health and environmental impacts of the DoD starting to incinerate PFAS in their backyards, again. Communities such as East Liverpool should not have to face additional environmental challenges from the risks associated with PFAS incineration. More must be done to engage the people of East Liverpool, and other communities like it, before the DoD resumes incineration.

I urge the DoD to halt any plans to burn AFFF, in Ohio or elsewhere. It is vital that the DoD act in a manner that prioritizes the health and safety of Ohioans, and all Americans, while also addressing the ongoing environmental damage caused by PFAS contamination. To that end, I request that DoD act with urgency to:

• Immediately Halt Incineration as an Option within the DoD Updated PFAS Disposal Plan: The DoD should suspend any consideration to include incineration of PFAS waste, including AFFF, within its updated PFAS Guidance plan.

• Implement Alternative Disposal Methods: I urge the DoD to explore and implement safer alternatives to incineration that have shown promise in effectively destroying PFAS without the risks associated with airborne emissions.

• Engage with Local Communities: The DoD must engage with citizens near potential disposal sites including, incineration sites, in Ohio and across the nation. Providing transparency to its plans and listening to community concerns is what the people of Ohio deserve as this affects their health and the health of their entire community.

Communities across Ohio and our nation should not be placed at additional risk due to the improper disposal of toxic chemicals. I look forward to your response and am eager to work with you to find solutions that protect the health of Ohioans and our environment.

Sincerely,

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