Efforts Towards PFAS-Free Firefighting Equipment

Working together, manufacturers, researchers, and firefighters are creating PFAS-free firefighting equipment to lower health hazards while preserving safety and performance

Thursday, March 13, 2025 - Firefighters have for decades depended on protective gear meant to resist severe heat, flames, and hazardous surroundings. However, growing efforts to create safer substitutes have resulted from recent worries about per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS) in firefighting gear. Linked to major health hazards including AFFF cancer, PFAS--often known as "forever chemicals"--because of its environmental persistence--have been connected Fire departments, researchers, manufacturers, and others are giving the creation of PFAS-free firefighting gear first priority as knowledge of the risks connected with PFAS exposure grows and guarantees efficient fire suppression helps to protect firefighters. Replacing the water- and oil-resistant qualities these compounds offer is one of the primary difficulties in designing PFAS-free gear. Multiple protective layers make up firefighter turnout gear, and historically coatings based on PFAS have been used to repel chemicals, pollutants, and water. Manufacturers are testing other materials that have comparable protective properties without depending on PFAS. Among some interesting choices are new synthetic fibers that naturally resist moisture and pollutants and bio-based, fluorine-free coatings.

Rising awareness and advocating policy reforms have come mostly from firefighter' efforts. Given their higher risk of cancer and other health issues, many firefighters are worried about long-term PFAS exposure in their gear. Some fire departments are thus aggressively testing PFAS-free substitutes and advocating legislative changes to guarantee that next equipment is both safe and efficient. Some manufacturers have already debuted early iterations of PFAS-free turnout gear in response to these issues. Although these new products are currently under performance and durability testing, they are a significant first step toward PFAS free of firefighting gear. Furthermore, constant efforts are directed at locating and eliminating latent sources of PFAS in the supply chain, thereby guaranteeing that every component of protective gear is really free of PFAS. The change to PFAS-free firefighting equipment will take time even with advancements. Safety, affordability, and performance must all be balanced by fire departments so that any new equipment satisfies rigorous fire safety criteria. Firefighters are encouraged to minimize their contact to contaminated gear, routinely wash their uniforms, and follow correct decontamination protocols following fire suppression operations in the meantime. Legal action is also influencing reform as worries about PFAS exposure keep rising. With an AFFF cancer attorney assisting people to file an AFFF cancer lawsuit against manufacturers of gear containing PFAS, many firefighters afflicted by PFAS-related ailments are seeking compensation through litigation. These court decisions are increasing pressure on businesses to hasten the creation of safer firefighting equipment.

As manufacturers, researchers, and firemen advocate for safer substitutes, efforts to create PFAS-free firefighting gear are gathering steam. Advanced fiber technologies and fluorine-free coatings as well as other new materials are under test to replace PFAS-based water- and oil-resistant barriers. While some manufacturers have already started distributing early iterations of PFAS-free gear, firefighter advocacy groups, and legal actions are raising awareness and influencing policies. Though it will take time, constant study and pressure from the firefighting community are hastening the change toward safer protective gear. Many impacted firefighters are looking for legal assistance; an AFFF cancer attorney helps them file an AFFF cancer case to hold manufacturers responsible for health hazards related to gear containing PFAS.

Information provided by AFFFLawsuitCenter.com, a website devoted to providing news about AFFF and PFAS cancer, lymphoma and leukaemia claims, including a free no-cost, no-obligation AFFF Lawsuit Claim.