US state passed a ban on PFAs in firefighter gear

The state of Massachusetts legislature has approved a bill urging a ban on the use of toxic PFAS chemicals in firefighter gear. If enacted into law, the ban will take effect on January 1, 2027. 

Starting next year, manufacturers will be required to label products containing PFAS.  The aim is to protect firefighters from the harmful effects of these chemicals, according to State House News Service.

The Massachusetts legislature's bill banning toxic PFAS chemicals in firefighter gear now awaits approval from Governor Maura Healey, a critic of PFAS-using manufacturers. 

Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS are resistant to environmental breakdown and are linked to serious health issues, including liver and kidney damage, reproductive and developmental harm, and certain cancers. 

If the bill is signed into law, the ban will take effect on January 1, 2027, with new labeling regulations for manufacturers starting next year.

FireEngineering.com wrote in June 2024 a comprehensive background article on PFAs with the fire service: 

"PFAS compounds are synthetic chemicals known for their water- and grease-resistant properties, making them prevalent in firefighting foams, protective gear, and equipment. While PFAS compounds have contributed to the effectiveness of firefighting and related operations, concerns have arisen regarding their potential adverse health effects."

The article lists many different sources of contamination, including fire station dust, equipment,  protective gear and fire suppression foams. 

The article also makes a set of recommendations, such as: 

• Only wear PFAS-treated PPE when the protective qualities of that apparel are needed—at fire scenes and at training scenarios where it is necessary as part of the exercise.
• Wear PPE that protects you against dermal absorption in the hot and warm zones of every fire and post-fire scene. It is essential to cover as much exposed skin as possible.
• Wear adequate and appropriate respiratory protection during all hot and warm zone fire and post-fire scene activities. This means SCBA during all suppression and overhaul activities and an air purifying respirator with a P100 filter with an oily vapor, acid gas, and formaldehyde (OV/AG/FM) cartridge during other activities, at a minimum.
• Use effective field decontamination procedures for all personnel who were in the hot and warm zones at every fire and post-fire scene to reduce the fire scene contaminants on PPE and tools because everything is contaminated, even if you can’t see it. This includes radios and holders, cell phones, eyeglasses, goggles, and anything else taken into the scene. This also includes all hoselines deployed into the hot and warm zones.
• Package all contaminated PPE and keep it out of the vehicle cabs until it is cleaned. This is also an important dust reduction step. Wear gloves to handle contaminated items.
• Take a shower as soon as you can after leaving every fire and post-fire scene, including training fires.
• Clean your PPE by appropriately washing all apparel after every use.
• Clean all tools, equipment, and hoselines after every use.
• Do not take any gear, apparel, tools, or anything else that could be contaminated into clean areas of your fire station or your office or home, where it could contaminate other people.
• At the fire station, have designated dirty and clean areas, and limit your time in the dirty areas, which include engine bays and PPE storage areas.

Illustration Credit: 

Effects of PFAs on human health. Wikipedia Commons License. 
Source: 

• European Environment Agency (original image)
• Mrmw (vectorization)