More and more firefighters fear that their personal protective equipment, which contains toxic chemicals, has been the cause of the field’s rise in cancer cases.
Cancer rates, especially testicular and mesothelioma, have been on the rise in the firefighting industry.
"You always hear about the dangers. You just never think it's going be you," said Ranahan, who stopped working due to the cancer and is among thousands of firefighters nationwide who sued PFAS manufacturers and companies that make firefighting gear and foam, seeking damages for their exposure. The news that PFAS compounds are in their gear — primarily meant to repel water and contaminants like oil and prevent moisture-related burns — is worrisome to firefighters.
"As more scientific data availed itself, it became obvious that our greatest exposure to carcinogens is our a daily donning and doffing of PPE bunker gear," he continued. The American Chemistry Council said in a statement that"PFAS-based materials are the only viable options for some key equipment that meet the vital performance properties required for firefighting gear."
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