Cutting Through the PFAS Hype: Why Facts Matter in Fire Protection
The term PFAS has become something of a catch-all villain in recent years—whisper it in the halls of regulation, and you might as well sound an alarm. From headlines about “forever chemicals” to billion-dollar lawsuits, the conversation around PFAS has grown louder and more urgent. But as with any subject this complex, volume does not always equal clarity.
At Polits Strategies, we believe nuance matters—especially when lives and property are at stake.
Let’s dig in!
What Are PFAS—Really?
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a vast family of chemicals that share one key characteristic: a highly durable carbon-fluorine bond. These compounds have been used in everything from non-stick cookware and rain jackets to—you guessed it—firefighting foams and clean agent fire suppression systems.
Here’s the problem: not all PFAS are created equal. Some, like long-chain firefighting foam compounds (AFFF), are toxic, persistent, and bioaccumulative. Others—such as halogenated clean agents used in total flooding systems—don’t behave the same way in the environment. And yet, they often get thrown into the same regulatory bucket.
How Hype Outpaces Science
Why does the conversation around PFAS feel so one-note? It’s because the media, politics, and litigation often run faster than science. Sensational headlines sell. Lawsuits make waves. And politicians ride into office promising to fix what’s broken. In this storm of noise, it's easy to lump every PFAS into the same category—regardless of its actual impact on human health or the environment.
I call it the “baby out with the bathwater” effect. And when it comes to critical life safety tools like clean agents, that’s a path we can’t afford to take.
What the Data Actually Tells Us
The clean agents in question—FK-5-1-12 (also known as Novec 1230), FM-200, and others—do fall under the broad OECD definition of PFAS, but here’s the key: they are generally considered as not bioaccumulative, to not partition to water, and to be non toxic in their original chemical forms.
In fact, the U.S. EPA’s own 2021 roadmap takes a science-first approach, distinguishing between types of PFAS and focusing on risk, remediation, and accountability. Contrast that with the European Union’s sweeping “ban first, ask questions later” strategy, and you begin to see the value of a more measured, analytical path.
So Why Did 3M Pull the Plug on Novec?
Good question—and it’s one that highlights exactly what’s wrong with this conversation. 3M’s decision to exit PFAS manufacturing, including its Novec line, wasn’t driven by science. It was driven by optics. With more than 4,000 lawsuits piling up, the company weighed the PR damage and chose to step away.
That move sent shockwaves through our industry. Suddenly, a safe, effective, and widely used fire suppression agent brand was gone, not because of what it is, but because of what it was associated with.
We need to ask: Is this the kind of decision-making that protects people, or just headlines?
A Path Forward—Rooted in Reality
Let me be clear: PFAS environmental harm is real. The environmental and health consequences of firefighting foam contamination, for instance, are heartbreaking. We must eliminate harmful PFAS where they do damage—and we are.
But we also need to preserve the tools that protect lives and infrastructure in a way that’s safe, effective, and evidence-based. Clean agents are not the enemy. They’re part of the solution—when evaluated honestly.
So what can we do?
Advocate locally. State legislation varies widely, and sometimes moves faster than facts. Stay engaged.
Educate respectfully. Acknowledge public concern while guiding stakeholders toward nuance.
Push for precision. Science-based regulation must remain the standard—not fear-based blanket bans.
At Polits Strategies, our commitment is to truth, transparency, and technical leadership. We believe the future of fire protection deserves nothing less.
Let’s not let the tail wag the dog.
Ready to Cut Through the Noise?
If your organization is facing uncertainty around PFAS regulations, fire protection standards, or clean agent system decisions—you don’t have to navigate it alone.
At Polits Strategies, we bring deep regulatory insight, technical expertise, and a commitment to integrity to help you:
Understand evolving rules at the state, national, and international levels
Choose safe, effective suppression systems that protect lives and property
Defend business continuity and long-term performance—without sacrificing compliance
Lead with clarity in an environment clouded by hype
Let’s protect what matters most—with facts, not fear.
Contact Polits Strategies today and let’s build a fire protection roadmap for your company, grounded in science, safety, and sustainability.