Understanding the Risks of Forever Chemicals

What Are PFAS?

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) include more than 12,000 synthetic chemicals not found in nature. They’re often referred to as “forever chemicals” given their persistence in the environment and human body.

PFAS have been used in fire fighting foam and turnout gear for decades. All three layers of fire fighter turnout gear contain PFAS and pose an occupational risk of illness.

Studies link PFAS exposure to the development of serious health effects, including cancer, behavioral development, metabolic, circulatory, digestive, endocrine, immune, neurological and reproductive system problems.

PFAS in Turnout Gear

Because of the toxic nature of PFAS, bunker gear can put members at unnecessary risk — yet until recent and significant revisions to the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) standards on structural and proximity firefighting, PFAS materials were effectively required in U.S. and Canadian fire fighter turnout gear to satisfy a stringent UV light degradation test. The UV light test introduced in 2007 effectively required the use of PFAS materials in the moisture barriers of fire fighter PPE, making it difficult to transition to PFAS-free alternatives as no other materials could satisfy the 40 hour light exposure criteria in the standard.

The NFPA Standard 1971 Section 8.62 required bunker gear to pass a 40-hour ultraviolet light degradation test, which effectively necessitated the use of PFAS in turnout gear, because no other materials could pass this stringent test. This specific requirement was stopping fire departments from utilizing PPE that doesn’t contain forever chemicals.

The PFAS Law Firms were at the forefront of the fight to change this to keep IAFF members safe. On March 16, 2023, we sued the NFPA on behalf of the IAFF seeking change to the regulatory standards and systems. In October 2024, a new consolidated standard was introduced.

This represents a significant step toward addressing concerns related to PFAS in fire fighter gear.

Changes in the 2025 edition created a list of restricted substances for manufacturers and removed the moisture barrier UV light degradation test, which had effectively required the use of toxic PFAS in bunker gear.

PFAS in Fire Fighting Foam

Fire fighters are exposed to PFAS when using Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) to suppress high-intensity and liquid fuel fires. Exposure to PFAS chemicals is linked to serious health risks, including various diseases and cancers. These chemicals have harmed fire fighters, military personnel, first responders, and entire communities who were unknowingly exposed through contaminated groundwater, workplace exposure or other means.

The claims related to AFFF have been consolidated under the In re: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF) Products Liability Litigation (MDL No. 2873) in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. If you were exposed to AFFF and later developed kidney (renal) cancer, testicular cancer, liver cancer, thyroid cancer or thyroid disease, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit.