Studies have shown that PFOS is a persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic pollutant.  It was added to Annex B of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in May 2009. Regulations in the United States, Canada, European Union, Australia, and Japan have banned the new production of PFOS-based products, including firefighting foams. 3M phased out production of PFOS in 2002 due to toxicity concerns.
One study, published in 2015, found that firefighters were more likely to have fluorinated surfactants in their bloodstream. In 2016, the United States Air Force paid $4.3 million for a water treatment system for residents downstream of Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado.
In the United States, discharges of AFFF by vessels to surface waters are regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Defense, pursuant to the Clean Water Act.
In Australia, in 2015 a public safety announcement was issued by the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority following a water source contamination near RAAF Base Williamtown. Surface water, groundwater and fish were reported to contain chemicals from firefighting foams that had been released by the local Royal Australian Air Force base prior to training protocol changes in 2008. The residents of the area were advised to not consume any bore water, in addition to eggs and seafood from fauna exposed to the contaminated water. The discovery led to the banning of all forms of fishing in the waters of Fullerton Cove until the beginning of October 2016.
As of 2017, the Australian Department of Defence was dealing with two class action suits brought by those affected by contamination at Williamtown and at Army Aviation Centre Oakey. Along with many airports and fire services, the Department of Defence is investigating possible contamination at 18 military sites across Australia. At Williamtown, it is also conducting studies on the uptake and residual contamination in plants, chickens and eggs.
In December 2017, New Zealand's Minister for the Environment announced that higher than acceptable levels of PFOS and PFOA were found in groundwater at two Royal New Zealand Air Force bases, thought to be from historic use of firefighting foam containing the substances. Residents residing near the airbases were told to drink bottled water until more extensive testing could be carried out.
In 2020, state government agencies in the US are planning to dispose of firefighting foam, either by incineration or landfilling. Nearly  of foam will be disposed by the US. The potential health risks of incinerating AFFF are still being investigated by EPA and state agencies.