Current:Home > reviewsMaine workers make progress in cleanup of spilled firefighting foam at former Navy base-VaTradeCoin
Maine workers make progress in cleanup of spilled firefighting foam at former Navy base
lotradecoin regulatory compliance overview View Date:2024-12-25 23:22:56
BRUNSWICK, Maine (AP) — Firefighting foam in a hangar at Brunswick Executive Airport has been been removed, and mitigation is underway on four retention ponds following Maine’s biggest accidental spill of the fire suppressant on record, officials said Monday.
The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention advised the public not to consume or to limit consumption of freshwater fish from four nearby bodies of water following the accidental discharge of firefighting foam containing harmful chemicals known as PFAS.
An investigation is underway into why a fire suppression system discharged Aug. 19 in Hangar 4, releasing 1,450 gallons (5,490 liters) of firefighting foam concentrate mixed with 50,000 gallons (190,000 liters) of water at the former Navy base. Federal records show the spill is the biggest accidental discharge in Maine since its recordkeeping began in the 1990s.
Aircraft that were doused are undergoing a final cleaning inside the hangar, and then the hangar will be cleaned for a final time, officials said Monday. Four vacuum trucks were deployed to remove foam from the retention ponds, officials said.
PFAS are associated with health problems including several types of cancer, and they are found in everything from food packaging to clothing, in addition to firefighting foam. Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency, for the first time, proposed limits on the so-called forever chemicals in drinking water.
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection is overseeing the remediation at the former Brunswick Naval Air Station, now known as Brunswick Landing. The base, which officially closed in 2011, had automated fire suppression in large hangars that once housed P-3 Orion patrol aircraft and other planes.
veryGood! (84877)
Related
- Mega Millions winning numbers for Tuesday, Dec. 10 drawing: $619 million lottery jackpot
- Inside Alix Earle's Winning Romance With NFL Player Braxton Berrios
- ‘The Bear’ and ‘Shogun’ could start claiming trophies early at Creative Arts Emmy Awards
- Brandon Sanderson's next Stormlight Archive book is coming. New fans should start elsewhere
- Beyoncé's BeyGood charity donates $100K to Houston law center amid Jay
- Megan Thee Stallion’s Hot Girl Fashion Evolution Makes Us Wanna Hiss
- Manhunt underway for suspect in active shooter situation that shut down I-75 in Kentucky
- Horrific deaths of gymnast, Olympian reminder of violence women face daily. It has to stop
- 'The Voice' Season 26 finale: Coach Michael Bublé scores victory with Sofronio Vasquez
- Cowboys QB Dak Prescott becomes highest-paid player in NFL history with new contract
Ranking
- Our 12 favorites moments of 2024
- Who are Sunday's NFL starting quarterbacks? Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels to make debut
- Don't Miss J.Crew Outlet's End-of-Summer Sale: Score an Extra 50% Off Clearance & Up to 60% Off Sitewide
- Mother of Georgia shooting suspect said she called school before attack, report says
- Alex Jones keeps Infowars for now after judge rejects The Onion’s winning auction bid
- Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer has died at age 58
- Go inside Kona Stories, a Hawaiian bookstore with an ocean view and three cats
- Evacuations ordered as wildfire burns in foothills of national forest east of LA
Recommendation
-
Michael Bublé Details Heartwarming Moment With Taylor Swift’s Parents at Eras Tour
-
Gordon Ramsay's wife, Tana, reveals PCOS diagnosis. What is that?
-
NASCAR 2024 playoffs at Atlanta: Start time, TV, streaming, lineup for Quaker State 400
-
Taylor Swift and Brittany Mahomes Debunk Feud Rumors With U.S. Open Double Date
-
She grew up in an Arizona church community. Now, she claims it was actually a religious cult.
-
Nashville’s Mother Church of Country Music retains its roots as religious house of worship
-
Former director of Los Alamos National Laboratory dead after car crash in New Mexico
-
Elton John unveils new documentary and shares what he wants on his tombstone