Mary Byrne
Known as “forever chemicals,” they’re found in water-resistant clothing, nonstick cookware and some cosmetics. Most people have been exposed to them at one point or another, though more often than not, in low concentrations.
“They are probably in the water bottle that’s sitting on your desk, probably in some of the clothes you’re wearing,” said Belmont Fire Chief David DeStefano. “They’re unfortunately part of everyone’s life.”
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known commonly as PFAS, are widely used, long-lasting, manufactured chemicals, the components of which break down very slowly over time, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. They’re found in many different consumer, commercial, and industrial products, with some occupations causing a higher risk for exposure than others.
In the fire service, PFAS are often found in the turnout gear worn by firefighters, including jackets, pants, gloves, helmets, and self-contained breathing apparatuses.
According to the EPA, research is ongoing to determine how different levels of exposure to different PFAS can lead to a variety of health effects. Scientific studies have already shown that exposure to some PFAS—there are several different kinds—in the environment maybe linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals, including different forms of cancer.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, studies have shown that firefighters have higher levels of some types of PFAS in their blood when compared to the general population.
“My understanding of the chemicals involved in the PFAS issue, they were, in the past, necessary, to make materials that were able to withstand extremely high temperatures required in the firefighting environment,” DeStefano said.
Legislation signed by Gov. Maura Healey this week, however, aims to change that reliance on PFAS in Massachusetts firefighters’ protective equipment.
“Our firefighters are our heroes. They selflessly run into harm’s way to protect their neighbors,” Healey said in a press release. “It is essential that they have comprehensive information about what’s in their protective gear so that they can make informed choices that are best for them. This bill is an important part of our efforts to protect the health, safety, and well-being of our firefighters in Massachusetts. I’m grateful to the firefighters, family members, labor leaders, and legislators who worked so hard to pass this lifesaving bill.”
Effective Jan. 1, 2025, manufacturers and sellers of personal protective equipment for firefighters containing PFAS chemicals will be required to provide written notice to the purchaser, at the time of sale, stating that the equipment contains PFAS chemicals; giving the reason why the equipment contains PFAS chemicals; and listing the specific PFAS chemicals in the product.
Then, effective Jan. 1, 2027, manufacturers and sellers of personal protective equipment for firefighters will be prohibited from knowingly selling gear containing “intentionally-added PFAS” chemicals, meaning PFAS chemicals or products that break down into PFAS chemicals that are added to the product during manufacturing.
“The health and safety of firefighters is paramount in my mind,” DeStefano said. “We need to protect to the utmost extent and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure our firefighters are protected with the safest and most protective gear available.”
In Belmont, DeStefano has already been looking to make the transition away from material containing PFAS. The department addressed PFAS content in all its firefighting foam concentrate by taking the foam offline and purchasing, instead, all PFAS-free concentrate.
“We are looking keenly at PFAS-free fire gear,” he added.
Over the past few years, the department has ordered turnout gear that minimizes the firefighters’ exposure to PFAS by encapsulating any elements of PFAS in one of the interior layers of the gear.
New PFAS-free gear, however, recently hit the market, he said. In the next month, DeStefano, who spoke with a manufacturer last week, plans to meet with a representative from the manufacturer the department uses to learn more about those options.
“It’s something that, frankly, is just becoming available,” he said. “That’s why we want to be at the forefront of being able to look into it.”