Florida firefighters accept the many life-threatening risks that come with the job, but most of them now face a danger they didn’t sign up for. The protective gear they wear is made with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), toxic chemicals that have been linked to cancer, high cholesterol levels, congenital disabilities, liver damage, and other serious medical issues. While it offers immediate protection from heat, flames, debris, and burns, its long-term effects can be catastrophic.
PFAS have been found across the protective gear’s three layers: the outer shell, moisture barrier, and thermal liner. Firefighters’ pants and jackets have particularly high concentrations of the hazardous compounds. As their relatively large surface areas rest against the skin, PFAS can enter and remain in the bloodstream. One study found higher levels of PFAS in firefighters’ blood compared to other essential workers. And, unlike other participants in the study, the amount didn’t decline over three years, demonstrating the persistent, bioaccumulative nature of these “forever chemicals.” The threats are even more pronounced when turnout gear is subjected to daily use. For instance, experiments conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology established that simulated abrasion exponentially increased the amount of PFAS released by up to 265%.
PFAS have also found their way into hundreds of consumer products, and the standard fire suppressant that firefighters use, aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). Manufacturing activities and runoff from AFFF are the main culprits behind groundwater contamination across the United States. As the nature of PFAS became public knowledge, individuals, public water utility companies, states, local governments, and firefighter organizations have filed lawsuits. During the one month between May and June 2025, the number of AFFF lawsuits jumped by over a thousand. The total number of pending cases reached 10,391.
The proposed PFAS Alternatives Act promises to put a stop to PFAS-infused turnout gear by replacing it with safer, non-toxic alternatives. However, since its introduction in 2023, the bill has been pending, leaving firefighters vulnerable.
Across the country, over 1.2 million people work in fire departments. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Florida is home to the third-largest population of firefighters in the United States. There are over 21,500 of them in the state. In Manatee County, the Bradenton Fire Department employs over 60 career firefighters, while West Manatee Fire & Rescue has more than 50 full-time firefighters.
The majority, including firefighters in Manatee County, must deal with grave health risks like cancer. According to the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), the disease was responsible for 72% of line-of-duty deaths among its members in 2023. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) offered a similar observation in 2015, noting that firefighters faced a 9% higher chance of developing cancer and were 14% more likely to die from it.
Despite these findings, firefighters remain mostly unaware of PFAS and their dangers. Statistics from the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (JOEM) highlighted that only 33.8% of Florida firefighters follow news about PFAS in turnout gear. In comparison, a mere 4.6% knew that AFFF contained PFAS.
Measures like the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) address AFFF and groundwater contamination. However, there are still no federal laws that protect firefighters from the PFAS in their turnout gear. A problem of this scale requires a countrywide response. Before firefighting teams across the United States can realistically adopt new alternatives, a significant budget is needed for research and development. It isn’t as simple as trading one material for another. Replacing turnout gear laced with PFAS requires extensive research in materials science, numerous durability tests, and certification — a process that can take years. States, particularly those with smaller and more rural communities, will find it difficult to sustain these activities on their own.
However, allocation from the national government — such as the PFAS Alternative Act’s $25 million annual budget — can help develop PFAS-free turnout gear while ensuring it meets the benchmarks set by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The proposed legislation also anticipates other needs, such as training and monitoring. It suggests that another $2 million annually be set aside to help educate firefighters about their new turnout gear. Meanwhile, the U.S. Fire Administration will be tasked to provide updates.
Ninety minutes away from Manatee County, the firefighters of Lakeland, Florida, are choosing not to wear turnout gear when responding to low-risk calls like medical and miscellaneous issues. It’s an understandable but inadequate response to the threats that they’re facing. Our firefighters shouldn’t have to choose between short- and long-term risks. They should be able to trust that the gear designed to keep them safe does its job. State-level policies are necessary, but they must be grounded in national regulations. Hence, firefighters from smaller departments and fast-growing suburban areas like Manatee get equal access to truly safe, PFAS-free equipment. For American firefighters, the PFAS Alternatives Act is a lifeline that needs to be prioritized.
Jonathan Sharp is the Chief Financial Officer of the Environmental Litigation Group P.C., a firm in Birmingham, Alabama, dedicated to helping victims of toxic exposure and their families get justice and rightful compensation.
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