‘The science is changing so fast': Mass. city votes no to purchase PFAS-free gear for firefighters

March 18, 2026

Read the full article by Bill Carey (Fire Rescue 1)

"Quincy firefighters are criticizing the City Council after it declined to move a request for $2.6 million in new gear out of committee.

The firefighters’ union said the current gear contains cancer-causing chemicals, while councilors said they still have questions about the plan, CBS Boston reported.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are synthetic chemicals that persist in the environment and have been linked to cancer. The International Association of Fire Fighters says recent studies found PFAS in all three layers of firefighter turnout gear, calling the chemicals an unnecessary and serious occupational hazard."