By: Emergency Technical Decon Team
Last month, Illinois lawmakers introduced legislation to ban the sale of firefighter gear containing PFAS—also known as “forever chemicals”—citing the mounting evidence linking them to cancer and long-term health risks. This push reflects a larger national reckoning: for decades, the very gear designed to protect firefighters has also exposed them to hidden toxins.
What Are PFAS and Why Are They in Gear?
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic chemicals that have been used in industrial and consumer products since the 1940s. Known for their durability and resistance to heat, oil, and water, PFAS were added to firefighter gear to make outer shells water-resistant and to prevent saturation during fireground operations.
But the same properties that make PFAS useful in firefighting also make them dangerous. They do not break down naturally in the environment or the human body and have been linked to:
Various cancers (prostate, kidney, testicular, etc.)
- Hormonal disruption
- Immune system suppression
- Liver damage
According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), firefighters already face a higher risk of cancer than the general population. Now, PFAS in their gear is recognized as a key contributor.
What the Illinois Bill Proposes
The legislation introduced in Illinois would ban the manufacture and sale of new firefighter PPE that contains intentionally added PFAS. It mirrors similar efforts in other states, including Washington and California, and is aligned with growing federal pressure, including:
- EPA’s classification of certain PFAS as hazardous substances
- Reintroduced PFAS Alternatives Act in Congress
- Increased scrutiny of PPE manufacturing standards by the NFPA
The aim: to transition departments to PFAS-free alternatives—and to stop the cycle of exposure.
But Even “New” Gear Isn’t Risk-Free
Departments making the shift to PFAS-free turnout gear may still face unexpected exposure. According to findings from recent NFPA workshops and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), PFAS-free gear can still absorb airborne PFAS during use. Additionally, residual PFAS may remain in older gear, station environments, or shared PPE.
This means firefighters may continue to be exposed, unless proper decontamination is in place. This is done without degrading gear and with zero hazardous wastewater, offering a sustainable and effective solution as departments transition to safer PPE.
What Departments Should Do Now
1. Audit Your Gear Inventory: Identify gear containing PFAS and determine its age and usage level.
2. Plan for Decon: Adopt a regular, advanced cleaning schedule to reduce exposure risk, especially for high-use gear.
3. Monitor Legislation: Track state and federal laws regarding PFAS in turnout gear, especially grant-funded gear compliance.
4. Educate Your Crews: Help firefighters understand the risks and what they can do to limit exposure.
5. Partner with a Proven ISP: Work with a provider like ETD that offers data-backed contaminant removal and NFPA-aligned protocols.
Gear Should Protect—Not Harm
As more states move toward banning PFAS in firefighter PPE, the fire service is entering a new era of accountability and safety. Departments must stay ahead of the curve, not just with what gear they buy but also with how they clean and maintain it.
Ready to reduce risk in your department? Contact ETD today to schedule a demo or learn more about how Liquid CO2+ cleaning supports long-term firefighter health.
