New Mexico solidifies classification of PFAS-containing firefighting foam as a hazardous waste

April 16, 2026

Read the full article by John Miller (Alberque Journal)

"A type of firefighting foam still kept on hand at some airports and known to contain high levels of PFAS — or “forever chemicals” — has become the target of a mandated cleanup effort in New Mexico, the first state to classify aqueous film-forming foam as hazardous waste.

The state’s Environmental Improvement Board on Monday ratified the classification of the substance in a unanimous vote, granting the New Mexico Environment Department direct authority to require cleanup from polluters and “strictly limit” the firefighting foam’s use in the state.

The vote comes a year after state Environment Secretary James Kenney supported the passage of House Bill 140, which first added PFAS-containing firefighting foam to the state’s definition of “hazardous waste” when Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed it into law last year."

Location:

• North AmericaUS
• North AmericaUSNew Mexico

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• ChemicalsPolymer
• ProductsFirefighting foam
• SourcesAirports
• SourcesMilitary bases
• SourcesFire departments
• Health
• Regulations