A NIST study found almost all turnout gear is made using PFAS, and this leaches from the fabric due to wear and tear.
Older AFFF foams are made using a variety of PFAS compounds. They are being phased out but still pose a potential risk.
Structural, wildland, and training fires release a cocktail of different toxins, including many PFAS compounds.
Try to buy PFAS-free turnout gear when it meets the required standards
Avoid unnecessary use of turnout gear for incidents that don't require it
Wash hands well and avoid cookware and food containers that use PFAS
PFAS compounds have been linked with several types of cancer, including testicular, pancreatic, and kidney cancers
Several studies have identified links between common PFAS compounds and male infertility
There are clear links between PFAS and dyslipidemia, a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease
Firefighters have high exposure to PFAS for a variety of reasons. PFAS has been used in firefighting foams, known as aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs) since the 1960s. These foams are very useful in fighting liquid fuel fires, which can’t be extinguished by water alone. PFAS chemicals are also extensively used in firefighters' personal protective equipment (PPE). Gear such as jackets, trousers, gloves, and boots are treated with PFAS to provide protection against extreme heat and chemical exposure. Last but not least, firefighters are exposed to PFAS at incidents, where burning building materials, synthetic products, and household contents release PFAS-contaminated particles into the air.
The most common way that we are exposed to PFAS is through eating or drinking PFAS-contaminated food and water. However, PFAS can also be inhaled when using aerosolized products that contain PFAS or when PFAS-treated materials create dust (think of dust from carpets and furniture). Lastly, PFAS can also absorb through the skin, especially if cosmetics or water-proof clothing that contain high levels of PFAS are used every day.
The first step to doing something about PFAS exposure is to understand the sources of exposure. For firefighters, the biggest source is probably your occupation. This is because of the presence of PFAS in your turnout gear, AFFF, as well as exposure during fire events. However, whether it’s your occupation or your daily personal living, try to learn more about exactly where PFAS is coming from. Then get a PFAS blood test to understand your current PFAS levels. From there, you can make changes to your environment and your lifestyle to try to reduce your exposure. Finally, take PFAS blood tests at regular intervals to better understand how your exposure is changing.
Evidence is increasingly linking PFAS exposure to significant adverse health outcomes. These include several forms of cancer as well as reproductive health issues and organ damage among others. As a result, it is important to understand which PFAS substances are present in your body and in what quantities.
Our toxin tests are available to be purchased and used by anyone in the United States, except for residents of the state of New York. This is due to New York's state regulations for lab testing. We hope to make our tests available in NY soon.
The PFAS Core Panel test is delivered by our parent company, Relentless Health. Their mission is to help first responders and others everyone live healthier lives in the face of toxin exposure. Relentless Health donates a proportion of every sale made to organizations that help first responders deal with the health impacts of their job.
