Chemicals commonly found in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, and construction materials are also present in protective gear for firefighters; however, they might pose serious health risks, prompting some state lawmakers to take action.

This month, Massachusetts followed Connecticut by enacting the first state law to ban per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from firefighter protective gear. Both firefighters and environmental advocates view this as a significant advancement.

“We aim to protect our firefighters, but we must do so without compromising their health,” explained Anne Hulick, director of Clean Water Action in Connecticut. “Finding safer alternatives for these heroes who protect us is crucial.”

PFAS, referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their long-term persistence in the environment, were introduced in the 1940s and can be found in various products. They are utilized extensively in firefighter gear to repel flammable materials and endure high temperatures.

Research indicates that high levels of PFAS exposure can lead to serious health issues like kidney and testicular cancer, elevated cholesterol levels, and pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and hypertension, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. However, leaders in the chemical industry have resisted movements to eliminate PFAS from firefighter equipment, maintaining that these substances enhance safety for first responders.

A pivotal time for PFAS regulations

This month, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey approved the state’s ban on PFAS in firefighter gear, receiving support from firefighters while facing opposition from the chemical industry.

The new law prohibits manufacturers from selling or distributing firefighter protective equipment with “intentionally added PFAS” in Massachusetts by 2027. In the meantime, companies that continue to sell gear containing PFAS will have to inform buyers in writing starting January 1, 2025.

Richard MacKinnon Jr., president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, which represents over 12,000 firefighters statewide, noted that passing the bill was “not an easy task, but we accomplished it.”

“This legislation is a vital step in our efforts against occupational diseases,” MacKinnon stated. “We have been aware for years that our gear is laden with PFAS. This law is expected to accelerate the creation of PFAS-free equipment.”

The American Chemistry Council, a trade organization for chemical manufacturers, opposed the Massachusetts law, asserting that “not all PFAS are the same.”

“The PFAS utilized today are backed by extensive health and safety data,” said Tom Flanagin, a spokesperson for the council.

Massachusetts’ law was enacted about two months after Connecticut’s corresponding ban passed. Besides firefighter gear, it also prohibits PFAS in children’s products, mattresses, textiles, dental floss, menstrual products, and more.

The Connecticut ban will be implemented in July 2026 for specific items and January 2028 for others, including turnout gear.

Hopes for wider legislative action

The International Association of Fire Fighters, representing workers across North America, hailed the groundbreaking bans in Massachusetts and Connecticut as a significant win for the health of firefighters and the communities they serve.

“We’re witnessing a shift where health takes precedence over profits with these types of legislation,” remarked Neil McMillan, director of science and research at the International Association of Fire Fighters. “I am optimistic that more legislation will emerge throughout the United States.”

McMillan highlighted that firefighters face multiple risks while on duty, including exposure to fire, smoke, and a variety of carcinogenic chemicals, contributing to elevated cancer rates among them. According to IAFF reports, 72% of in-line-of-duty fatalities among its members in 2023 were due to occupational cancer.

He emphasized that minimizing exposure should be a top priority.

“Given our heightened risk of cancer due to our profession, it’s crucial that we limit those exposures,” McMillan said. “The most significant impact would come from being able to use products that do not inherently possess risks already built into them.”

It’s important to note that nearly everyone in the U.S. carries some level of PFAS in their bodies. Firefighters, in particular, encounter higher exposure levels through firefighting foam and their protective gear, which gradually releases more PFAS due to wear and exposure to intense heat.

A study released last year by the National Institutes of Health indicated that heightened exposure to PFAS among firefighters, especially through their protective equipment, could elevate their cancer risk.

Other restrictions throughout the U.S.

Despite known health risks of PFAS for decades, manufacturers have consistently hindered efforts to significantly reduce the use of these chemicals. A report from Food and Water Watch, a non-profit organization, revealed that the chemical industry invested over $110 million on lobbying between 2019 and 2022 to influence congressional bills, several of which targeted PFAS.

With increasing public awareness regarding the health threats posed by PFAS, state and local lawmakers are starting to take proactive measures. In May, San Francisco implemented a PFAS ban on firefighter gear, potentially the first city-level legislation of its kind. Additionally, this year, Concord, New Hampshire,

WMUR-TV has reported that Massachusetts has allocated $305,000 to fund PFAS-free gear for firefighters.

In addition to the bans that target firefighter gear, numerous states have enacted restrictions on PFAS in various other products. As stated by Safer States, a coalition of environmental health organizations, a total of 30 states have established policies that limit PFAS usage to some degree. Specifically, 15 states have prohibited PFAS in firefighting foam, according to the group.

Firefighters, along with environmental activists, are optimistic that the new laws in Massachusetts and Connecticut will inspire additional states to take similar actions. In Washington state, which already has an extensive PFAS ban that affects firefighting foam, food packaging, and personal care products, there is discussion about including turnout gear in those regulations.

At the national level, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced its first regulations on PFAS levels in public drinking water this year. Water systems have until 2027 to conduct initial PFAS monitoring and must begin treatment by 2029.

The EPA claims that these new regulations will help protect about 100 million people from exposure to PFAS, potentially preventing thousands of deaths and tens of thousands of health issues.

Contributing: Kinga Borondy, Telegram & Gazette