New Jersey Works to Destroy Firefighting Foam Linked to Cancer

Fire departments across New Jersey are throwing out a special foam that has been used to fight fires for decades. The foam, called aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF, contains dangerous chemicals known as PFAS — also called "forever chemicals." Scientists have found that exposure to these chemicals is linked to higher rates of cancer in firefighters. New Jersey is now collecting and destroying as much of this foam as possible to keep firefighters safe.

Robert Gancarz, the fire chief of the Jacobstown Volunteer Fire Department, was relieved when his station finally got rid of its AFFF supply. His department had used the foam since the mid-1980s, and they had stored 580 gallons of it at the station. "It was like sitting on a bomb," Gancarz told CBS News. He added, "The very tools I am using can cause health problems. They can kill you."

The danger from PFAS is very real for Gancarz and his family. His 76-year-old father, known as "Boots" Gancarz, spent his whole adult life fighting fires. In 2024, doctors told Boots that he had colon cancer. Even so, Boots stayed positive and said, "I'm going to beat this. They ain't shoveling dirt in my face yet."

Robert Gancarz himself has also been tested for PFAS in his blood. The results showed that his PFAS levels were higher than those of the average American. PFAS chemicals were not only found in the foam — they were also built into the protective gear that firefighters wore for many years. When asked if a possible cancer diagnosis scared him, he said, "It's definitely a scary, scary thing to think about."

New Jersey is one of more than a dozen states working to collect and destroy AFFF. So far, the state has gathered more than 150,000 gallons of the foam from fire stations. All of it has been sent to Revive Environmental, an Ohio company that specializes in destroying PFAS. CEO Rick Gillespie explained that the company runs the foam through special reactors and that "what comes out of those reactors is clean water."

Jacobstown's fire department is now using a new foam that does not contain PFAS. This safer foam is made from soybeans, making it better for both firefighters and the environment. Robert Gancarz said the department needs to use a bit more of the new product, but it still gets the job done. "We have to use a little bit more of this product, but it can still put the fire out," he said.