BUCYRUS, Ohio — The chemical poly-fluoroalkyl, or PFAS, is posing a problem in our society. The chemicals can resist grease and oil and are used to make clothing and other products waterproof.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, it’s hard to get rid of it when it enters the bloodstream.
One of the largest sources of PFAS comes from firefighting. Foam used to extinguish flames can run off into the environment and impact drinking water sources.
The fire industry is looking at alternatives to keep firefighters and the environment safe, and so is the soybean industry.
Cross Plains Solutions is based out of Atlanta, Georgia, and was created 12 years ago to offer solutions to the bedding industry. The newest product it has developed is called SoyFoam.
“We were asked to help create a firefighting foam training phone for a major metropolitan fire department that was training on an island and needed something that was nontoxic and biodegradable,” said Alan Snipes with Cross Plains Solutions. “We can't control what's available in the fire that they're fighting, but we certainly can provide them with a product that that we feel is safe for them to use and that they can have confidence in that it's not going to be harmful.”
The United Soybean Board is now working with Cross Plains Solutions as an alternative revenue source for soybean farmers nationwide. Steve Reinhard is from Bucyrus and is the current chair for USB. Although Ohio is not supplying beans for SoyFoam production right now, it’s Reinhard’s goal to expand into other states.
“We have a surplus of soybeans around the world today. We’re going to continue to drive investment in other products as well, and help returns,” said Reinhard. “Every day we're experimenting with how we can be more sustainable on the farm.”
Reinhard says soybean oil and meal products range from Goodyear Tires to Skechers soles, DeWalt chainsaw oil, Ford vehicle seat foam, driveway asphalt and food products for people and livestock.