Firefighters’ gear causing cancer? Legislation aims to nix PFAS from equipment
DELMARVA – Researchers have been raising the alarm about PFAS, or forever chemicals, for years. They come from, and are found in, countless industries and products. And, they can potentially cause cancer.
PFAS Alternatives Act
One of those products is the gear that firefighters wear. “Our helmets, our hoods, running pants, running coat, all of those things have some of those PFAS integrated into them,” said Ocean City Fire Department (OCFD) Chief Richard Bowers. “Cancer is a major problem in the fire service. It’s time to do something about the gear we wear that is possibly, and most likely, causing some of the cancers.”
Congressional lawmakers are trying to tackle these concerns by introducing the PFAS Alternatives Act. The legislation would authorize an annual $25 million until Fiscal Year 2028 to develop new firefighting gear that does not contain PFAS. It would also provide an additional $2 million annually to support guidance and training.
“We needed it yesterday.”
Director of Science and Research for the International Association of Firefighters, Neil McMillan, says this legislation can’t be passed soon enough.
“There’s great research showing how many PFAS will pass through the skin, and the skin serves as a bank that continues to dose us over time,” said McMillan. “We needed it yesterday. Every day that goes by, our members, without fail, answer the call. They get on the trucks, respond to the emergencies in gear, that they now know, is contributing to that elevated risk of cancer.”
McMillan says cancer is the leading cause of death for firefighters. Adding, finding ways to keep PFAS out of their gear can be costly.
“We’re a healthy worker group. We have low rates of many lifestyle-related illnesses. But, when it comes to cancer, we’re being struck down at very young ages by aggressive forms,” said McMillan. “There’s a large cost associated with research, development, certification. Legislation like [this] is hugely important.”
Taking Extra Precautions
Until that legislation can be passed, local fire crews are taking extra precautions to reduce the risk of absorbing, inhaling, or ingesting PFAS, or spreading them around. That includes keeping fire gear in bags or air lockers when not in use, and being extra vigilant.
“We wash our hands any time we touch our gear, go into a fire, come out, we wash all of our gear down, wash our hands. We make sure that no protective gear goes into the firehouse,” said Chief Bowers. “The last thing you want to do, is take those types of products home to our families.”
Chief Bowers adds that at OCFD’s new midtown station, there will be an even more advanced dress-down and clean up area. “You go into a room that’s a dirty room, clean yourself off, and then you step out to a clean room, and then you step into a final room where you change your clothes and do what you need to do,” he said.
OCFD is also increasing cancer screenings for its members; something that hits close to home for Chief Bowers.
“Cancer in the fire service is off the charts. Unfortunately, there’s no one that I don’t know in the fire service that hasn’t either had a battle with cancer, or knows somebody in the fire service that has had cancer,” said Chief Bowers. “The discussion at the kitchen table, and every level in the administration in the fire service, that discussion is ongoing right now.”
Looking Ahead
McMillan says OCFD is not alone in taking extra precautions. And, they will have to keep doing so until PFAS-free fire gear is the standard, he says.
“It’s a bit of a paradigm shift, but it’s important, and it’s been really adopted well by our members,” said McMillan. “Studies show that firefighters have high concentration of many PFAS, above what’s found in the general population. So, by reducing those unnecessary exposures, we’ll help to reduce the rates. But, ultimately, we need this legislation to be passed.”
