PFAS Contamination in Firefighting Clothing
topic
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from DWR finishes applied to firefighting outer shell fabrics contribute to firefighter PFAS body burden through dermal absorption from clothing contact, adding to AFFF foam exposure that is the primary PFAS source in firefighter populations, with urine and blood PFAS concentration studies of firefighters demonstrating elevated PFAS levels correlating with clothing and AFFF exposure that are associated with thyroid disease, immune dysfunction, and some cancer types in general population studies.
Role
Identifies PFAS exposure from firefighting clothing as an occupational chemical hazard supplementary to fire combustion product carcinogens, driving regulatory and voluntary industry action to eliminate PFAS from DWR finishes on firefighting clothing and replace with PFAS-free alternatives that provide contamination resistance without contributing to the persistent fluorocarbon body burden that firefighter occupational health research has associated with adverse health outcomes.