- Firefighters wear heavy turnout gear every day.
- The gear helps protect them from heat.
- Some gear contains harmful materials for health.
- A new study examined many sets of gear.
- Researchers tested older and newer turnout gear.
- Newer gear had only very small traces.
- All tested gear contained flame retardant chemicals.
- The chemicals can affect thyroid and other organs.
- Experts ask for more research and transparency.
- Fire departments need better information to decide.
Difficult words
- turnout gear — clothes firefighters wear to fight fires
- protect — keep someone safe from danger or harm
- harmful — something that can cause harm or illness
- flame retardant chemical — a substance that slows fire in materialsflame retardant chemicals
- thyroid — a small gland in the neck that controls hormones
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever seen firefighters wear turnout gear?
- Do you think fire departments need more information about gear?
- Are you worried about chemicals in clothes or gear?
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