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Study finds chemicals in firefighter protective gear (Level A1) — fireman putting his gas mask

Study finds chemicals in firefighter protective gearCEFR A1

31 Dec 2025

LevelA1
A2
B1
B2

Adapted from Duke U. Nicholas School for the Environment, Futurity • CC BY 4.0

Photo by Ibrahim Mushan, Unsplash

Level A1 – Beginner
2 min
72 words
  • 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 materials
    flame 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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