FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) – The very gear designed to shield firefighters from extreme heat and water may be exposing them to a different, deadly hazard.
A 2018 national investigation reveals that standard “turnout gear” worn by departments across the United States contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) – a toxic class of “forever chemicals” linked to cancer, which is now the leading killer of active-duty firefighters.
A 2023 survey, which included responses from fire chiefs at dozens of departments in more than 20 states, suggests that the vast majority of fire departments nationwide are still using PFAS-contaminated gear despite the proven risks…