Wildfire suppressants may add metals to environments 

Frequent, severe wildfires throughout the American West have led to an increased need for the use of fire suppression products like long-term fire retardants, water enhancers and Class A foams. While the U.S. Forest Service must approve all products used on wildfires, the exact formulations are largely unknown. After wildfires, scientists have observed an increase in metal content in soils and surface waters, but these upticks have been primarily contributed to ash and other impacts from areas in the wildland urban interface. In a recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, researchers found that long-term fire retardants contained concentrations of metals like lead, chromium and manganese, among others. The study also found that water enhancers and Class A foams contained metals but at lower concentrations. Despite these findings, studies have yet to document impacts on wildlife in these areas.  

Read more at Environmental Science & Technology Letters