US wildfire suppressants rife with toxic heavy metals, study finds

In the News

New research from the University of Southern California reveals that widely used wildfire suppressants contain high levels of toxic heavy metals like cadmium, arsenic, and chromium—raising concerns about environmental and public health impacts. While these chemicals help slow fires, the study found that metal contamination levels in fire suppressants exceed drinking water limits by up to 3,000 times. With millions of gallons sprayed over communities, researchers urge stricter regulations to balance wildfire prevention with human and environmental safety. Read the full Guardian article here.