PFAS Crisis: The Search for Sustainable and Safe PPE for Firefighters

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic compounds widely used in firefighters’ personal protective equipment (PPE) to enhance water and chemical resistance. However, the non-biodegradable nature of these substances poses serious threats to human health and ecosystems.

Ramazan Aktepe Şemsettin Parlak

Firefighter - Denizli Fire Department   İzmir Fire Department 

 Recent research reveals that PFAS exposure significantly increases the incidence of various chronic diseases—especially cancer—among firefighters, and contributes to persistent environmental pollution that is difficult to reverse due to its long-lasting nature.

This study focuses on three main areas:

• Health risks of PFAS for firefighters

• Environmental impacts and ecotoxicological consequences

• Technical and economic dimensions of PFAS-free alternative PPE designs

The research comprehensively discusses sustainable solution proposals and analyzes key challenges in the development of alternative materials, including high costs, performance standards, and regulatory frameworks. The study’s findings underscore the urgency for a sector-wide transformation grounded in green chemistry principles.

Firefighters play a vital role in combating fires, but due to the nature of their profession, they face numerous health risks. One of the most significant of these risks is chemical exposure from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are commonly used in their personal protective equipment (PPE). PFAS is a group of chemicals that increase resistance to water and oil and provide fire retardancy, making them frequently preferred in firefighters’ gear. However, the long-term effects of these substances on human health and the environment have increasingly become a cause for concern.

PFAS are called "forever chemicals" because they do not biodegrade in nature and persist in the environment for a long time. Firefighters are exposed to these chemicals during firefighting operations and face serious health problems due to the accumulation of these substances in their bodies. Scientific studies have shown that PFAS increase serious health risks such as cancer, liver and kidney dysfunction, weakened immune systems, and reproductive issues. Additionally, these chemicals spread into the environment from firefighting foams and equipment, contaminating water sources, soil, and air, and causing permanent damage to ecosystems.

This study aims to examine the health effects of PFAS on firefighters, their environmental harms, and sustainable PPE designs developed as alternatives to these chemicals. The development and widespread adoption of PFAS-free materials will both protect firefighters’ health and contribute to environmental sustainability. This article addresses new policies, technological solutions, and legal regulations developed in response to the PFAS-related crisis and presents a sustainable roadmap for the future of the firefighting profession.

What Are PFAS?

PFAS are a family of synthetic chemicals that do not naturally occur in the environment and are highly fluorinated. Thousands of different types of these chemicals have been identified to date, forming an ever-expanding group with new types being discovered regularly. The first members of the PFAS family were developed and commercialized in the 1940s. Since then, the diversity of PFAS available for industrial use has increased significantly. According to industrial data, there are currently several hundred commercially used PFAS compounds.

PFAS are characterized by carbon-fluorine (C-F) bonds in their chemical structure. This bond is considered one of the strongest chemical bonds in nature. The high energy of the C-F bond gives PFAS compounds extraordinary resistance to natural degradation processes, leading to their persistence in the environment for long periods. This exceptional chemical stability places PFAS in the class of "persistent organic pollutants" (POPs) and has led scientists to refer to them as "forever chemicals."

PFAS compounds vary based on how the carbon-fluorine (C-F) groups are connected in different chemical structures. According to their chemical structure, PFAS are categorized into three groups: Long-Chain, Short-Chain, and Polymeric PFAS.

This classification is important because the compounds show significant differences in their physicochemical properties, environmental behavior, and toxicological effects.

The Role and Applications of PFAS in Firefighting

PFAS are widely used in firefighters’ personal protective equipment (PPE) to enhance fire resistance. The functional advantages of these compounds can be explained through three main properties:

Hydrophobic and Oleophobic Character: They exhibit strong repellent properties against water (hydrophilic) and oil-based (lipophilic) substances.

Thermal Stability: They maintain their chemical structure even at temperatures between 200-500°C.

Chemical Inertness: They have a low tendency to react with corrosive and flammable chemicals.

PFAS play a critical role especially in fire-resistant clothing and Class A firefighting foams. According to NIST (2024), while PFAS provide effective protection against firefighters’ acute thermal and chemical exposures, chronic exposure leads to serious health risks such as:

• Endocrine system disorders through bioaccumulation

• Liver toxicity

• Immune system suppression

This paradox creates a critical occupational dilemma that requires a reassessment of the balance between fire safety and environmental health.

PFAS applications in the firefighting sector cover a wide range of equipment. Besides fire-resistant clothing, gloves, and boots, these chemicals also contribute functionally to:

Composite Hoses: Layers resistant to high pressure

Breathing Apparatus: Filtration components in masks

Vehicle Coatings: Fire-resistant surfaces of firefighting vehicles

Rescue Equipment: Ropes and safety gear

However, studies by the Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry (2022) reveal a serious paradox between the protective functions of PFAS and their toxicological risks, particularly:

Thermal Degradation: High temperatures (>300°C) in fire environments trigger PFAS transformation into more volatile and bioavailable forms

Transdermal Absorption: Long-term use can result in skin absorption rates between 12-25%

Bioaccumulation: Accumulation in liver and kidneys with half-lives extending up to 5-8 years.

These factors make PFAS exposure an occupational hazard for firefighters.

These findings highlight the urgent need for research and development of PFAS-free alternative materials specifically designed for firefighters.

Health Effects of PFAS

The health effects of PFAS on firefighters involve serious risks documented through epidemiological and toxicological studies. The behavior and pathological impacts of these chemicals in the human body can be summarized as follows:

Biopersistence Characteristics:

PFAS compounds do not break down in biological systems due to the high stability of the carbon-fluorine bonds.

They accumulate in the body by binding especially to the liver, kidneys, and serum proteins.

According to USFA (2024) data, the biological half-life of PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) in firefighters is estimated at 5.3 ± 1.7 years.

Carcinogenic Mechanisms:

a) Genotoxicity:

PFAS cause DNA strand breaks through oxidative stress.

They can induce mutations in the p53 tumor suppressor gene.

b) Oncogenic Potential:

According to the USFA 2024 cohort study (n=10,742 firefighters):

• A 2.3-fold increase in prostate cancer risk

• A 3.1-fold increase in testicular cancer incidence

• A 1.8-fold excess in bladder cancer cases

The adverse effects of PFAS chemicals on human health are multifaceted and target various organ systems. These chemicals exhibit particularly serious toxic effects on the liver and kidneys, impairing organ functions and potentially leading to chronic diseases over time. PFAS compounds accumulated in the liver disrupt the organ’s detoxification function and can cause irreversible damage such as cirrhosis.

Due to their immunosuppressive effects, PFAS significantly reduce the body’s resistance to infections. A report published by the Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry (2022) also documented the negative impacts of PFAS on reproductive health. According to this report, PFAS cause fertility issues in female firefighters and reduce sperm quality and count in males.

Epidemiological studies have shown that long-term exposure to PFAS statistically significantly increases cancer incidence, particularly:

• A 3.1-fold increase in testicular cancer risk (95% CI: 2.4–4.0)

• A 2.0-fold increase in kidney cancer incidence (95% CI: 1.6–2.5)

• A 1.8-fold increase in prostate cancer cases (95% CI: 1.4–2.3)

These data clearly demonstrate that the carcinogenic effects of PFAS are scientifically proven.

The development and implementation of alternatives to PFAS are critically important in terms of:

Environmental perspective: Using biodegradable, fluorine-free compounds

Occupational health perspective: Reducing firefighters’ risk of chronic exposure

Economic dimension: Lowering healthcare costs in the long term

PFAS-free firefighting foams developed by NIST are considered a promising step in this field.

Environmental Impacts of PFAS

PFAS are chemical substances with the potential to cause persistent pollution in the environment. Their most notable characteristic is their resistance to biological degradation, allowing them to remain in nature for extended periods.

The release of PFAS-containing foams during firefighting operations leads to significant environmental problems. This results in:

• Contamination of underground and surface water sources

• Degradation of soil quality

According to the NIST (2024) report, the introduction of PFAS into water systems poses a serious threat to drinking water sources. Additionally, these chemicals carry further risks such as:

• Accumulation in soil, adversely affecting agricultural production

• Entering the food chain

Considering these environmental impacts, reducing the use of PFAS and developing alternative solutions is critically important for both human health and ecosystems.

PFAS-Free PPE Designs

PFAS-free alternative personal protective equipment (PPE) holds significant potential for protecting firefighters’ health and ensuring environmental sustainability. Research published by the Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry (2022) shows that efforts to develop biodegradable materials with high heat resistance are accelerating.

However, several key challenges limit the widespread adoption of these innovative materials:

Cost Factor: Production costs are 35-60% higher compared to traditional PFAS-containing products (NIST, 2023).

Performance Criteria: Reduced durability at temperatures above 500°C.

Standardization Process: Safety standards like NFPA 1971 are not yet fully compatible with new materials.

Thermal Resistance Tests: Traditional PFAS-containing materials withstand 30 minutes at 600°C, while PFAS-free alternatives last only 15-20 minutes (UL Laboratories, 2023 data).

Hydrophobic Performance: PFAS alternatives achieve an 85% success rate in water repellency tests, falling short of NFPA’s required 95% standard.

Reasons for Standardization Delays:

• Insufficient long-term performance data for new materials

• Test protocols not optimized for non-PFAS chemicals

• Lack of a globally unified testing methodology among manufacturers

Solutions aimed at reducing PFAS-containing materials include ASTM International’s development of new testing standards (ASTM WK78921), NFPA’s plan to add a dedicated section for PFAS-free materials in its 2026 revision, and pilot programs by the California Fire Department.

Notably, the NFPA 1971-2023 version mandates the phased discontinuation of PFAS-containing products by 2027 but allows some flexibility during the transition to alternatives.

The most significant economic barrier to the development of PFAS-free personal protective equipment (PPE) is the high production cost of these materials. A comprehensive study published by NIST in 2024 reveals:

Findings from the cost analysis show that the unit cost of PFAS-free PPE is on average 30% higher compared to traditional products. In particular, the cost of fluorine-free hydrophobic coatings has been documented to increase by up to 45%.

The main reasons for these cost increases are identified as the high price of bio-based alternative raw materials, the need for specialized manufacturing processes, and the fact that economies of scale have not yet fully developed.

Nanotechnology-based approaches play a critical role in the development of next-generation PFAS-free PPE materials. Recent advancements in this field offer significant advantages both in terms of material performance and environmental sustainability.

Another challenge is the continuous testing required for the performance of PFAS-free materials. Especially under fire exposure conditions, the durability of these materials, the release of toxic substances, and whether they sufficiently protect firefighters must be constantly evaluated. In this context, the FEMA (2024) report notes that the water resistance and chemical resistance of PFAS-free PPE during firefighting may be lower compared to traditional PPE.

In recent years, many governments and regulatory bodies have developed incentive policies to promote the development and adoption of PFAS-free materials. These policies include financial support for manufacturers, phased bans on PFAS-containing materials, and regulations encouraging the use of environmentally friendly alternatives. According to the SFFCPF (2020) report, in order to popularize the use of PFAS-free PPE, production costs must be reduced and the effectiveness of alternative materials improved.

New Policies and Future Perspectives 

Against the PFAS Crisis the health and environmental risks caused by PFAS necessitate the implementation of comprehensive and strict regulations at the international level. Current data and official reports clearly reveal the political developments taking place globally in this area.

European Union (EU) Regulations

The European Union plans to phase out PFAS-containing products starting from 2025 under the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) legislation. Specifically, the use of PFAS in firefighting equipment is targeted to be completely eliminated by 2027. To support this transition, a €50 million R&D fund has been allocated within the Horizon Europe program to develop alternative materials.

United States (US) Policies

FEMA has allocated a budget of $25 million for the period 2023–2026 to develop PFAS-free personal protective equipment (PPE). Additionally, NIST has established a special working group to determine testing protocols for alternative materials.

Implementation and Incentive Mechanisms

Special training programs for firefighting units are promoting the use of PFAS-free equipment. Local governments provide a price advantage of 10–15% for the procurement of such equipment. FEMA’s 2024 operational guidelines mandate at least a 50% reduction in PFAS usage in emergency response equipment by the end of 2025.

Projected Developments

By 2026, the global market share of PFAS-free firefighting systems is expected to reach 40%. The production costs of nanotechnology-based alternative materials are projected to decrease by 35–40% within the next five years. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) aims to classify all types of PFAS as “Substances of Very High Concern” (SVHC) by the end of 2025. All these regulations and implementations aim to minimize the adverse effects of PFAS on human health and the environment and to promote the widespread adoption of sustainable alternatives. As emphasized in FEMA’s 2024 report, the success of this process largely depends on strengthening public-private partnerships and increasing R&D investments. Protecting firefighters, who are among the high-risk groups, is a primary objective of these policies.

The spread of PFAS-free materials promises multifaceted benefits in terms of health, environment, technology, and societal awareness. According to the World Health Organization’s 2025 projections, occupational cancer cases linked to PFAS among firefighters are expected to decrease by 40 to 60%. Similarly, PFAS contamination in groundwater sources is estimated to be reduced by 75% by 2030. Innovations driven by nanotechnology are expected to improve the thermal and chemical protective performance of personal protective equipment by up to 30%. These advancements are critically important not only for individual health but also for enhancing occupational safety.

Technological progress is accelerating this transformation and making it more cost-accessible. Thanks especially to the industrial-scale production of bio-based polymers, production costs are expected to drop by 35% by 2027. With the widespread adoption of 3D printing technologies, custom-made protective equipment becomes possible; innovative solutions such as self-healing nano-coatings and smart sensor-integrated gear enable higher performance and user safety levels.

A significant societal shift is also underway. Due to increasing consumer awareness, the market for PFAS-free products is expected to double by 2028. Awareness campaigns organized by NGOs, particularly about occupational exposure, are raising consciousness, thereby increasing public pressure and political support. As of now, over 65 countries have decided to exclude PFAS-containing products from public procurement, and sustainable production certifications have become mandatory in many countries.

However, this transformation process also brings some implementation challenges. Developing new test protocols for alternative materials is an urgent need for standard organizations such as ISO and NFPA. Moreover, specialized curricula must be developed in fire academies to ensure effective use of PFAS-free equipment. To ensure the sustainability of R&D investments, it is recommended to increase financing models based on public-private partnerships and investor collaborations.

All these developments form the foundation for promising projections for 2030. The global market share of PFAS-free firefighting equipment is expected to reach 80%, while nanofiber-based fire-resistant textiles are anticipated to become standardized. Circular economy models aim to achieve a 95% recovery rate of PFAS waste materials.

This comprehensive transformation process represents a critical milestone not only for the firefighting sector but also for all industrial fields dependent on PFAS, towards a sustainable and healthy future. However, realizing these goals depends on the continuity of scientific research, determined political will, and coordinated industrial adaptation processes. Active and informed participation of all segments of society will play a decisive role in building a PFAS-free world of the future.

In conclusion, the transition to PFAS-free personal protective equipment is not only a technical transformation but also a necessary step for a healthy future and sustainable environment.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings Regarding PFAS

Firefighters and first responder teams have filed various compensation lawsuits against companies that manufacture PFAS chemicals, claiming that these substances in their protective gear cause cancer. The plaintiffs argue that the manufacturers have failed to meet their product safety obligations.

The core of these lawsuits asserts that manufacturers’ claims about the safety of their products are misleading and do not reflect reality. It is also alleged that potential health risks associated with the products were not clearly disclosed, violating users’ right to be informed.

Another significant legal claim is that manufacturers, based on their technical knowledge and scientific data, were in a position to foresee the harmful health effects of PFAS chemicals but did not take the necessary precautions. Furthermore, insufficient efforts were made to research and develop safer alternative materials.

Additionally, some manufacturers are accused of concealing negative findings from internal research from the public and regulatory bodies. The deliberate preparation of incomplete or misleading risk assessment reports is a frequent and serious allegation in these cases.

According to a provision in NFPA 1971, certain components of firefighter equipment must pass the Ultraviolet (UV) Light Degradation Test. This test requires the equipment to withstand 40 hours of UV exposure without deterioration. PFAS is reportedly the only substance able to pass this test for such an extended period.

In a case filed at Norfolk County Superior Court, plaintiffs are seeking compensation and other relief. IAFF President Edward Kelly stated: “This is about eliminating the cancer-causing chemicals in firefighter gear and securing justice for our members.”

The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has appointed three law firms specializing in PFAS litigation as part of the fight against cancer among firefighters. These firms are Motley Rice LLC, Simmons Hanly Conroy LLC, and Sullivan Papain Block McGrath Coffinas & Cannavo P.C. The legal teams are working towards changing regulatory standards, mandating PFAS-free equipment for firefighters, and securing compensation for IAFF members and their families affected by PFAS-related illnesses.

The IAFF has also led a determined campaign to remove PFAS substances from firefighter gear. Alongside legal action, it has conducted extensive research, educational programs, and awareness campaigns to inform the public about the health and environmental threats posed by PFAS.

Conclusion

PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are chemicals commonly found in the personal protective equipment (PPE) used by firefighters, valued for their fire-resistant properties. However, the harmful effects of these substances on human health and the environment have made them a serious threat. Exposure to PFAS during and after firefighting duties has been linked to prostate, bladder, and testicular cancers, as well as immune system weakening, liver and kidney dysfunction, and other severe health problems. The fact that PFAS do not biologically degrade in the human body and persist in the environment for long periods creates long-term risks at both individual and societal levels.

Moreover, PFAS spread into the environment through firefighting foams and equipment, causing persistent contamination of soil, water, and air across broad ecosystems. Their resistance to natural breakdown processes allows them to enter water sources and the food chain, escalating threats to ecosystems and human health. Research by NIST (2024) and FEMA (2024) has shown that these chemicals bioaccumulate toxically in biological systems and that firefighters face a significantly higher cancer risk compared to the general population.

These challenges clearly highlight the necessity of developing and promoting PFAS-free alternative PPE. Studies by institutions such as the Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry, NIST, and NFPA demonstrate that PFAS-free materials are not only environmentally friendlier but also reduce health risks. However, high production costs and the current inability of these alternatives to match the durability of traditional PPE in testing remain major barriers to this transition.

Widespread adoption of PFAS-free personal protective equipment will not only protect firefighters’ health but also contribute significantly to environmental sustainability. For this transformation to succeed, a coordinated approach involving several critical steps is essential. Accelerating scientific research and technological innovation is crucial. Additionally, governments must develop and enforce effective regulatory policies that will guide the transition process. Implementing financial incentives to support both manufacturers and users will strengthen the sustainability of this shift.

Phasing out PFAS use and encouraging safer alternatives is vital for the health of firefighters, the broader public, and the protection of the natural environment. Every action taken in this direction contributes to building a healthier, safer, and more sustainable future in the long term.

In summary, developing and disseminating PFAS-free PPE represents a strategic opportunity for protecting human health and achieving environmental sustainability. Achieving this goal requires a multi-stakeholder collaboration based on:

• academic research,

• industrial innovation, and

• political commitment.

Sustainable solutions addressing PFAS-related chemical pollution promise safer working conditions and a livable environment not only for firefighters but for society as a whole.