Fire departments across America are using a safer alternative to traditional firefighting foams.
Fire departments across America are making the switch to a new, safer alternative to the traditional firefighting foams of the past. SoyFoam™, made in Georgia, has no PFAS and is biodegradable. Foams containing PFAS have been used in fighting fire for many years. Although these foams are effective in firefighting, they are also harmful to people and the environment. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, are chemicals that contaminate many communities in the United States. PFAS are used in a wide range of products, such as non-stick cookware, water- and stain-repellent fabrics, and firefighting foam, because they have properties that repel oil and water, reduce friction, and resist temperature changes. PFAS can leak into the environment where they are made, used, disposed of, or spilled. PFAS exposure has been linked to a number of adverse health effects, including certain cancers, thyroid dysfunction, changes in cholesterol, and small reductions in birth weight.
A cost-effective, eco-friendly solution
The mission at Cross Plains Solutions is to create an effective firefighting foam that is safe for firefighters, first responders, military personnel, and our environment. Cross Plains Solutions introduced the product commercially in 2024. SoyFoam™ TF-1122 is a wetting/smothering agent capable of extinguishing Class A woodland materials and Class B hydrocarbon fuel source fires. There are no special handling requirements. This product is designed to work with traditional foam concentrate dispensing equipment. There are also no detectable fluorines (less than one part per billion) in the composition of the foam concentrate. The product has ingredients grown by US farmers and is certified biodegradable. US soybean farms support the testing and development of this product through their soy checkoff and the United Soybean Board. SoyFoam™ is the first and only firefighting foam that has met the requirements to achieve the GreenScreen Certified Gold™ level of recognition by Clean Production Action.
Many of the fire departments using SoyFoam™ today are in rural America. In these rural areas, many farmers are also volunteer firefighters in their local communities. This becomes a win-win for them as they see the benefits of growing soybeans and using a safer fire foam product. This foam also aids in less water usage, which is especially helpful in rural areas. SoyFoam™ is also being used in metropolitan areas, such as Cobb County, Georgia, a neighbouring county to Atlanta, Georgia, and Boone County, Missouri, of which Columbia, Missouri, is the county seat. The first fire department to begin using SoyFoam™ was in Corydon, Kentucky. SoyFoam™ is available in 5-gallon pails, 55-gallon drums, 250-gallon totes and 8-oz bottles for charging 2.5-gallon fire extinguisher canisters.
Cross Plains Solutions continues research on future versions of SoyFoam™ to meet the stringent requirements for military specifications, the U.S. Forestry Service, and others.
Cross Plains Solutions attends many events each year. These include large conventions, such as FDIC (Fire Department Instructors Conference) in Indianapolis, Indiana and Fire-Rescue International, which in 2025 is held in Orlando, Florida. Cross Plains Solutions also attends smaller fire department meetings and performs demonstrations of the product to local fire departments across the United States. Videos of testing and demonstrations, as well as testimonials by firefighters, may be viewed on our YouTube page.
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Please note, this article will also appear in the 23rd edition of our quarterly publication.
