Firefighters face what may be the highest occupational PFAS exposures of any profession — through a combination of AFFF use in training and emergency response, PFAS in personal protective equipment (turnout gear), and contaminated fire station water. Understanding these occupational sources enables targeted reduction strategies that protect firefighter health while maintaining operational readiness.
PFAS in Turnout Gear
The turnout gear that protects firefighters from thermal and chemical hazards has historically been made from or treated with PFAS-containing materials:
Outer shell and moisture barrier: Many turnout gear outer shells use PFAS-based durable water repellent (DWR) coatings that prevent water saturation and maintain protective performance. Moisture barrier layers in some gear use expanded PTFE (ePTFE, commonly known as Gore-Tex) as a breathable waterproof membrane.
PFAS migration to skin: During firefighting, particularly in hot conditions with heavy perspiration, PFAS from turnout gear can migrate through the moisture barrier and contaminate the skin of the wearer. Studies of PFAS in skin wipes taken from firefighters after fire events have confirmed dermal PFAS transfer from gear.
Regulatory response: NFPA standards for turnout gear are being revised to address PFAS content. Several states have passed legislation requiring PFAS-free turnout gear procurement by specified dates. Fire departments in California, New York, and other states are actively transitioning to PFAS-free alternatives as they become available and tested.
Fire Station Water Quality
Fire stations that have used AFFF for training exercises, tested foam systems, or responded to fires using AFFF may have contaminated on-site groundwater or connected to utilities drawing from contaminated sources. Testing by public health researchers and state agencies has found PFAS in fire station drinking water at many locations nationwide.
Fire stations should:
- Test drinking water for PFAS annually using certified laboratory methods
- Install point-of-use filtration at all drinking water outlets if PFAS are detected
- Install kitchen filtration for food preparation and coffee/beverage preparation
- Test shower water if dermal exposure through bathing is a concern
Post-Fire Decontamination
The water used for firefighter decontamination after fire events — particularly fires involving structural materials that may contain PFAS or AFFF that was applied — may itself contain PFAS. Proper decontamination procedures that minimize PFAS absorption while providing effective cleaning, and treatment or containment of decontamination wastewater, represent emerging occupational PFAS control approaches.
PFAS Testing for Firefighters
Many fire departments are implementing or considering PFAS serum testing programs for active and retired firefighters. This testing provides individual health baseline data, enables monitoring of PFAS body burden changes over time, and documents occupational exposure for workers’ compensation and disability purposes. National and state firefighter unions have been active advocates for PFAS serum testing as a worker health right.
For fire departments implementing serum testing programs, partnering with occupational medicine physicians experienced in PFAS health effects ensures that results are appropriately interpreted and that firefighters receive meaningful health guidance rather than just numbers without context.
The Path Forward
Comprehensive occupational PFAS control for firefighters requires action across multiple dimensions simultaneously: transitioning to PFAS-free AFFF alternatives for training (Class B foam alternatives are available and being validated); sourcing PFAS-free turnout gear as it becomes certified; ensuring clean water in fire stations; and providing health monitoring. The firefighter community’s leadership in demanding PFAS protections has accelerated progress across all these areas.