PFAS Found in Firefighter Gloves, Hoods and Wildland Gear

NIST | December 17, 2024

Read the full article by NIST

"The protective clothing worn by wildland firefighters often contains PFAS, according to a new study from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The study also found PFAS in hoods and gloves worn by firefighters who respond to building fires. 

PFAS — which stands for “per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances” — are a category of chemicals used in a wide range of products. In high concentrations, PFAS may have harmful health effects on people.

Firefighters have more PFAS in their blood than the average person. It isn’t clear why, but one theory is that it comes from the protective equipment they wear during a fire — called turnout gear."

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• SourcesMilitary bases
• SourcesFire departments
• Health