Oregon’s DEQ Looks To Address PFAS

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has a plan to reduce forever chemicals in the environment.

"The issue is that they don't break down and they stay in the environment for a long time and that's why PFAS are referred to as forever chemicals," said Latonya Jackson is with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

Firefighting foam is one of the main problems, but PFAS chemicals are also found in many consumer products.  Jackson said DEQ has developed a plan to reduce PFAS contamination.

“Managing and mitigating existing PFAS contamination in the environment and to ensure a safe and proper management of PFAS contaminated waste."

She said they'll continue to review new research on PFAS chemicals and add that information to the plan.  They ultimately want to keep PFAS chemicals out of underground water supplies.

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