Op-Ed: The PFAS Alternatives Act Represents Our Duty to Protect Firefighters

By Jonathan Sharp • May 29, 2025

The following op-ed was submitted by Jonathan Sharp, CFO – ELG. Op-Eds do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of those at the Idaho Dispatch.

Firefighters risk their lives every day to save others from burning buildings. However, the greatest threat to their health may not be collapsing structures or searing flames, but rather the equipment designed to protect them. Turnout gear, the protective clothing firefighters depend on, is manufactured using per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances PFAS also known as “forever chemicals” that silently accumulate in their bodies. The EPA confirms that there’s no safe level of PFAS exposure. While lawsuits target water contamination and firefighting foam, this toxic gear remains a deadly blind spot in our protection of first responders. The PFAS Alternatives Act represents not just legislation, but our moral obligation to ensure those who protect our communities aren’t sacrificing their lives through preventable disease.

The hidden danger in firefighter protection

Firefighters face a more insidious threat than the visible dangers of their work. The equipment designed to protect them–their turnout gear–contains PFAS chemicals that may slowly poison them. PFAS compounds were found in firefighter turnout gear textiles in a 2023 study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), with the highest concentration occurring in the outer layers. Still, significant amounts are also happening in the inner layers. Furthermore, NIST scientists found that wear and tear, such as abrasion, heat exposure, and weathering, significantly increases PFAS levels, while laundering has minimal effects.

Firefighting foams and protective equipment have used PFAS for decades because of their heat and water resistance. Textiles treated with fluorotelomer-based compounds such as 6:2 fluorotelomer methacrylate, 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol, and 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonic acid had the highest concentrations. Several severe health conditions have been linked to these chemicals, including cancer.

The International Association of Fire Fighters reports that cancer has become the leading cause of death among firefighters, accounting for approximately 66% of line-of-duty deaths between 2002 and 2019. While multiple occupational exposures contribute to this statistic, the role of PFAS-laden gear cannot be ignored.

Current NFPA 1971, “Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting,” requires turnout gear materials that can withstand extreme conditions while meeting rigorous tests for flame resistance, tear strength, water resistance, and thermal protection. For a long time, PFAS-based components were considered the only realistic option for meeting these demands, especially in moisture barriers.

A bipartisan solution gaining momentum

The Protecting Firefighters and Advancing State-of-the-Art Alternatives Act (PFAS Alternatives Act), introduced by Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick and a bipartisan coalition in July 2023, represents a crucial step toward addressing this crisis. The grant will boost the development of PFAS-free turnout gear through 2028 by allocating $25 million annually to research, development, and rigorous testing.

An additional $2 million per year would support guidance and training for firefighters on best practices for mitigating harmful exposures–a critical component as we transition to safer equipment. According to the bill, grant recipients must partner with organizations representing firefighters to ensure their input is included in the development of the gear.

A multilayered approach makes this legislation particularly effective. Besides removing PFAS, it promotes innovation that protects against combustion byproducts, reduces maintenance with contamination resistance, incorporates visual indicator warnings of hazardous exposures, and considers body composition in design.

The path forward while we wait for solutions

While this legislation represents hope, the reality is that many more firefighters will be exposed to PFAS chemicals before alternatives are fully developed and deployed. Recent statistics indicate that there are over 1.2 million firefighters in the United States, including career firefighters, volunteers, and paid per-call firefighters. Every time they wear their gear, they are potentially exposed to PFAS.

PFAS Alternatives Act acknowledges our obligation to protect those who protect us. We can reduce the unacceptable health burden placed on firefighters by developing safer alternatives and providing appropriate guidance on mitigating exposures. Congress must pass this legislation as soon as possible to eliminate this deadly threat.

In the meantime, we must remain vigilant to protect the health of our first responders and hold those responsible accountable. Firefighters don’t hesitate when we call for help. That’s why Congress shouldn’t hesitate to act on their behalf. These men and women deserve nothing less than gear that provides protection, not poison disguised as safety equipment.

About the Author

Jonathan Sharp serves as the Chief of Financial Operations at Environmental Litigation Group, P.C., overseeing financial aspects of litigation involving toxic exposures and supporting individuals impacted by environmental contamination.