PFAS are being phased out of firefighter gear. But other chemical concerns arise

Duke University | December 16, 2025

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"A new study has found that some protective gear worn by firefighters contains chemicals that could be harmful to their health. Firefighters wear special clothing called “turnout gear,” which is made of textiles treated with chemicals to protect them from extreme conditions on the job.

The study, conducted by Heather Stapleton, an environmental chemist at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, was published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters on Dec. 16, 2025.

For years, firefighters have worried about PFAS — chemicals used to make gear water- and oil-resistant."