Firefighter's Cancer Leads Wife to Discovery of Toxic Gear Killing Heroes Across U.S.: ‘It’s Infuriating’

By Johnny Dodd | People | December 27, 2023

Read the full article by Johnny Dodd (People)

"In the months following Paul Cotter’s 2014 prostate cancer diagnosis, his wife, Diane, watched helplessly as her once healthy and fit husband, a lieutenant with Massachusetts’ Worcester Fire Department, spent his days wasting away in the recliner.

“I couldn’t get him out of that chair,” says Diane, 63, of Paul, now 64, in this week's issue of PEOPLE. “He was literally leaving me physically and emotionally, and I couldn’t do anything about it.” 

Diane was convinced that Paul’s cancer was the result of toxic smoke and gases he was exposed to because of a failure in the protective coat and pants — known as turnout gear — worn while battling fires. So one day she rummaged through his gear in the basement, inspecting it with his powerful flashlight, and made a startling discovery."

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• ProductsFirefighting foam
• Environment
• Wildlife
• Affected community
• Health
• HealthCancer
• Measurement Techniques
• Monitoring Data
• PFAS Uses