AI Insight
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have been systematically measuring PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) concentrations in firefighter equipment since 2021. Their findings indicate that wear and tear on firefighter gear, including hoods, gloves, and wildland equipment, produces measurable changes in PFAS levels. This suggests that physical degradation of the gear may alter the extent to which these persistent synthetic chemicals are present or released.
Why it matters
Firefighters face occupational exposure to PFAS through their own protective equipment, and understanding how degradation affects chemical concentrations is essential for informing safer gear standards and reducing long-term health risks for first responders.
One of the first steps in addressing health concerns is measurement. For firefighters, one health concern is that their gear commonly contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also called “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down naturally in the environment. Since 2021, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have been systematically measuring PFAS concentrations in firefighter equipment.
Source: Wear and tear changes measurable PFAS levels in firefighter hoods, gloves and wildland gear