Missouri farmers attempt to team up with firefighters with safety top of mind

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Missouri farmers are attempting to team up with the state’s firefighters to eliminate forever chemicals and keep first responders safer.

On International Firefighters’ Day, Saturday, May 4, the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council encouraged farmers to discuss the health and environmental benefits of soy-based foam with local fire departments.

As firefighters take inherent risks just by clocking into work, the Council said they rely on many tools to fight fires – including foam. However, traditional foams pose the risk of exposure to PFAS, forever chemicals.

Agriculture officials indicated that SoyFoam, a safer alternative, eliminates exposure and prioritizes first-responder well-being. The SoyFoam TF1122 from Cross Plains Solutions is the first and only GreenScreen gold-level certified foam. It is 100% free of forever chemicals and fluorines and has been biodegradable certified.

“Farmers know the value of protecting our communities. Just like we nurture our land, firefighters bravely defend our neighborhoods,” said Aaron Porter, Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council (MSMC) chair. “SoyFoam™ isn’t just about crops; it’s about keeping our heroes safe. Let’s stand with our firefighters and support this safer option, ensuring their safety as they protect us.”

The Council noted that another benefit of SoyFoam is that it is made with soy flour. While soy-based products primarily use soybean oil, SoyFoam uses the meal component of the bean. That is a potential of 12 million bushels of soybean.

“We are proud to partner with U.S. Soy to launch this breakthrough firefighting foam for use by fire departments across the nation,” said Cross Plains Solutions’ Managing Partner Alan Snipes. “Our manufacturing plant in Georgia is ready to produce SoyFoam now so fire departments can ask their suppliers to offer it. We also see demand for numerous additional applications, ranging from canisters to sprinkler systems.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has reported that forever chemicals have now been found in water, air, fish and soil all across the nation. Exposure has been linked to cancers, reductions in birth weights and thyroid dysfunction. Mitigation through soy-based products could create a real change in quality of life.

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