MURRAY COUNTY, Minn. — Several fire departments in Murray County are preparing to test a soy-based firefighting foam that could serve as an alternative to conventional products containing PFAS chemicals.
Soybean growers in the region donated pails of SoyFoam — a product developed by Cross Plains Solutions — to departments in Currie, Dovray, Fulda, Iona, Lake Wilson and Slayton, the Marshall Independent reported. The initiative is part of a broader campaign by the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council to distribute the foam to more than 40 fire departments across the state.
Murray County Mutual Aid Association President and Slayton Fire Chief Chris Letendre said the departments will test the foam’s performance in various fire scenarios.
SoyFoam is made from soy flour and contains no intentionally added forever chemicals like PFAS, according to the council.
Council Chair and Dumont firefighter Tom Frisch described the effort as a way to support both local agriculture and firefighter safety, stating the foam offers a renewable, PFAS-free option for departments.
“For our firefighters, rural, city or anywhere in Minnesota, providing a PFAS-free alternative is our goal. For the public in general, homegrown, renewable products benefit all of us,” Frisch said.
