Toxic Turnout Gear: The Fight to Protect Firefighters from PFAS Exposure

A growing body of evidence reveals that PFAS in firefighter turnout gear is a serious occupational health threat, prompting urgent calls for federal legislation, research funding and safer alternatives.

• By Johnathon Sharp
• May 14, 2025

Firefighters are hailed as heroes for charging into burning buildings to save lives. Yet, one of their most insidious threats doesn’t come from fire — but from their own protective gear. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, commonly known as “forever chemicals,” are embedded in firefighters' turnout gear and linked to a wide range of cancers and chronic diseases. The recently introduced PFAS Alternatives Act could be a pivotal step toward addressing this long-overlooked occupational hazard.

A hidden threat in turnout gear

Firefighters rely on turnout gear designed to repel water, resist flames and shield them from hazardous exposures. Unfortunately, this very gear is often saturated with PFAS — synthetic compounds used since the 1950s in products like Teflon, Gore-Tex, food packaging and firefighting foam. PFAS compounds such as PFOA and PFOS have been classified as carcinogenic and are associated with cancers of the kidney, breast, testicles, thyroid and more. They are also linked to fertility issues, immune dysfunction, liver damage and elevated cholesterol.

These chemicals persist in the environment for decades, leaching into soil and water and accumulating in the human body. In April 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a strict national limit of just 4 parts per trillion for PFOS and PFOA in drinking water — a signal of just how harmful even trace amounts can be.

Firefighters sound the alarm

While PFAS in firefighting foam like aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF, has drawn national attention, the use of PFAS in turnout gear has received far less scrutiny — until recently. The International Association of Fire Fighters has been at the forefront, advocating for PFAS-free protective gear and filing a lawsuit against the National Fire Protection Association for requiring PFAS in its gear testing standards.

Some states and localities are now acting. In 2024, Connecticut joined Massachusetts and San Francisco in passing laws that prohibit PFAS in firefighter turnout gear. Still, many departments lack the resources to replace contaminated gear or evaluate safer alternatives. The burden of identifying and funding PFAS-free options remains a major barrier.

A legislative lifeline: the PFAS Alternatives Act

In response to these concerns, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick introduced the Protecting Firefighters and Advancing State-of-the-Art Alternatives Act, or PFAS Alternatives Act, in July 2023. This bipartisan bill proposes:

• $25 million annually over four years to fund research into PFAS-free turnout gear.
• $2 million annually to support training, maintenance, and guidance on the proper care of next-generation protective clothing.

Firefighter advocacy groups and occupational safety professionals alike have welcomed the legislation. If passed, it could catalyze the development of safer, high-performance gear that reduces occupational cancer risk.

Scientific evidence mounts

A growing body of research supports firefighter concerns. A 2020 study revealed high levels of fluorine — a PFAS indicator — in the moisture barrier and outer shell of turnout gear. More alarmingly, PFAS was also found in the thermal liner, which rests directly against the skin.

In 2023, researchers tested 20 different textiles used in firefighter gear and identified 26 distinct PFAS compounds. The outer shell and moisture barrier exhibited concentrations up to 400 times higher than the inner liner. Scientists concluded that safer, PFAS-free water-repellent alternatives are necessary and feasible, although more research is needed to ensure durability and protection standards are met.

A matter of life and death

The long-term health effects of PFAS exposure in firefighters are sobering. According to the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, firefighters face a 9 percent higher risk of developing cancer and a 14 percent higher risk of dying from it compared to the general U.S. population. The IAFF reported that 72 percent of line-of-duty firefighter deaths in 2023 were due to cancer, with risks extending into retirement due to the bioaccumulative nature of PFAS.

Without a comprehensive federal program to address this issue, cancer diagnoses among firefighters will likely continue to rise. The PFAS Alternatives Act offers a path forward — investing in protective innovations and supporting the health and safety of those who protect us.

Conclusion

Firefighters deserve protective equipment that shields them from harm, not one that puts them at greater risk. As awareness grows around the dangers of PFAS in turnout gear, the call for action becomes more urgent. Supporting the PFAS Alternatives Act and similar efforts is not just a policy decision — it's a moral imperative.

Occupational cancer should never be part of the job description.