Wear and tear changes measurable PFAS levels in firefighter hoods, gloves and wildland gear

NIST | May 13, 2026

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"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. In their latest report, published this week, they examined how wear and tear affected PFAS in firefighting hoods and gloves used to fight structure fires, and in gear used for forest or “wildland” fires. They found that wear and tear significantly increased the levels of PFAS found in hoods and gloves but decreased them in wildland gear.

Firefighters wear special protective clothing to help keep them safe in their line of duty. Water conducts heat, so it’s important that these garments keep firefighters dry. PFAS, which have also been used in nonstick pans and raincoats, are excellent at repelling liquids, which is why they are sometimes used to treat firefighter clothing for moisture resistance.

Exposure to high concentrations of PFAS has been linked to cancer, and awareness of the risks is growing. Studies suggest that firefighters have higher rates of cancer than the general population, though that is not necessarily due to PFAS exposure specifically."