The president of the union representing 281 Quincy firefighters is speaking out after the Quincy City Council failed to move forward a measure that would fund brand new gear for the fire department that is free of so-called “forever chemicals” that have been linked to cancer.
“Knowing what I know and the levels of chemicals in the gear, it’s frustrating,” union president Tom Bowes said.
What are “forever chemicals?”
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” are synthetic, long-lasting chemicals linked to cancer.
According to the International Association of Firefighters, recent studies have found PFAS are in all three layers of firefighter turnout gear and pose, “an unnecessary – and serious – occupational threat.”…