PFAS, or per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are not a new concept to firefighters because they have been an issue for many years. The bunker gear that they wear everyday is consumed with PFAS, which then absorbs into their skin.
When idle, bunker gear isn’t very harmful. But when heated, which may occur when battling a fire, the chemical activates and is then absorbed into the skin. Studies have shown that these chemicals may lead to cancer or other life-threatening diseases.
Globally, 75 percent of firefighters whose names appeared on the International Firefighters Association’s (IAFF) Memorial Wall between 2015-2020 died of cancer, according to the IAFF. Alex Fantauzzi, Wilmington Fire Department Lieutenant and President of the Firefighters Association detailed what steps need to be made nationally in order to make a change.