Blog
March 5, 2025
By: Emergency Technical Decon Team
Firefighters rely on their turnout gear for protection against flames, smoke, and hazardous chemicals. However, when PPE is not properly decontaminated, it can pose serious health risks and increase financial strain on fire departments. The cost of neglecting gear maintenance extends beyond just wear and tear—it can impact firefighter health, department budgets, and even operational efficiency.
Health Risks of Neglected PPE:
- Increased Cancer Risk – Studies show firefighters are at a 9% higher risk of developing cancer and 14% more likely to die from cancer compared to the general population, largely due to toxin exposure from contaminated gear.
- Respiratory Issues – Soot, smoke, and chemical residues left in gear can cause long-term respiratory conditions, leading to chronic illnesses.
- Skin Absorption Risks – PFAS and other contaminants don’t just remain on the surface; they penetrate turnout gear layers and can be absorbed through the skin with repeated exposure.
Without proper decontamination, firefighters unknowingly re-expose themselves to these hazardous substances every time they put on their gear, compromising their health and safety.
The Financial Toll of Poor Gear Maintenance
Neglecting PPE decontamination doesn’t just put firefighter health at risk—it also comes at a significant financial cost for fire departments. A primary concern is the shortened lifespan of turnout gear, which represents a substantial investment for every firefighter.
A full set of turnout gear—including coats, pants, helmets, gloves, and boots—costs between $6,000 and $13,000 per firefighter, depending on the type of gear and compliance requirements. If not properly cleaned and maintained, carcinogenic buildup, chemical exposure, and repeated contamination degrade protective fabrics and moisture barriers, leading to premature failure. Departments that fail to implement regular, effective decontamination procedures find themselves replacing gear far more often than necessary, driving up costs that could otherwise be avoided.
Beyond PPE costs, failing to properly clean and maintain gear can have operational impacts, as contaminated or deteriorated gear may not pass NFPA 1851 inspections, forcing departments to take gear out of service unexpectedly. This results in additional expenses, including temporary gear rentals or emergency replacements, straining already tight budgets.
Increased Healthcare & Compensation Costs
The long-term health effects of toxin exposure from contaminated turnout gear don’t just impact individual firefighters—they also place a financial burden on fire departments and municipalities.
Firefighters face an elevated risk of occupational cancers, with studies showing they are 9% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and 14% more likely to die from it than the general population. The cost of cancer treatment is staggering, often ranging from $150,000 to $250,000 per firefighter, depending on the type and stage of the disease. These costs don’t just affect the firefighter and their family but also the fire department’s healthcare coverage, disability claims, and workers’ compensation expenses.
Many municipalities cover medical expenses and disability benefits for firefighters diagnosed with job-related illnesses, meaning increased cancer rates place a growing financial strain on local governments.
Beyond direct healthcare costs, long-term illnesses also impact staffing and overtime costs. When a firefighter is diagnosed with cancer or another exposure-related illness, they may be forced into early retirement or extended leave, requiring departments to pay for overtime coverage or hire additional personnel to compensate for the loss. This creates a cycle of increased costs that could be mitigated with more proactive gear decontamination practices.
Non-Compliance & Legal Risks
As regulations surrounding PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and other hazardous substances become stricter, fire departments are being held legally accountable for their decontamination practices.
With PFAS now classified as hazardous substances under CERCLA, departments must ensure that PFAS-contaminated wastewater from gear cleaning does not enter municipal water supplies. Traditional water-based washing systems often fail to capture and properly dispose of these contaminants, potentially exposing fire departments to legal liabilities, regulatory fines, and expensive environmental cleanup costs.
Failure to comply with PFAS regulations could result in:
- Heavy fines from the EPA for improper handling and disposal of hazardous substances.
- Lawsuits from affected communities if PFAS contamination is linked to fire department wastewater.
- Mandated environmental cleanup efforts, costing millions of dollars depending on the level of contamination.
Operational Downtime & Resource Strain
When contaminated gear is taken out of service due to delayed or inadequate decontamination, departments face staffing challenges and increased response times, putting firefighters and the communities they serve at risk.
At Emergency Technical Decon (ETD), we provide fire departments with a safer alternative to traditional water-based cleaning. Our Liquid CO2+ cleaning technology removes deeply embedded contaminants, ensuring firefighter safety and financial sustainability.
- Removes up to 99% of contaminants, including PFAS and PAHs, far exceeding traditional washing methods
- Preserves gear integrity up to 40% longer, reducing premature replacement costs
- Eliminates hazardous wastewater, ensuring compliance with CERCLA regulations
- Protects firefighter health by preventing repeated exposure to carcinogens
By investing in advanced PPE decontamination, departments can extend gear life, lower long-term costs, and most importantly, keep firefighters safe.
Firefighter Safety Starts with Proper Gear Maintenance
Neglecting turnout gear decontamination comes at a high cost financially and in terms of firefighter well-being. As cancer rates among firefighters continue to rise and regulations surrounding PFAS become stricter, fire departments must prioritize effective, compliant decontamination solutions.
With Liquid CO2+ cleaning, ETD provides fire departments with the safest, most efficient way to keep gear clean, protect firefighter health, and reduce costs in the long run. Is your department ready to upgrade its decontamination process? Contact ETD today to learn how Liquid CO2+ cleaning can help you protect your firefighters, extend gear life, and stay ahead of evolving regulations.
