Recent research has revealed that firefighters may be at an increased risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals known as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) due to their protective gear. A team of researchers from the University of California, Riverside, found that firefighters’ turnout gear was significantly contaminated with PFAS, with some gear containing up to 10 times the amount of PFAS compared to other gear. This is concerning as PFAS can have a number of adverse health effects, including cancer, liver damage, and endocrine disruption. The research team also found that the type of PFAS present varied by gear type and that the type of firefighting product used (foam, gel, or powder) impacted the amount of PFAS present. This is an important finding as it suggests that firefighters need to be aware of the potential risks of PFAS exposure when using different types of firefighting products.

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source: Phys.org