The study was led by Heather Stapleton, an environmental chemist at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment, and published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters. Firefighters use turnout gear made of textiles treated with chemicals to protect against heat, water and oil. For years many firefighters have expressed concern about PFAS, a group of chemicals used to make gear water- and oil-resistant.
Stapleton and her team analysed turnout gear made between 2013 and 2020 and newer gear from 2024 that was advertised as not treated with PFAS. They found PFAS in the older gear and only trace amounts in the newer gear, which likely came from environmental exposure rather than active treatment.
All gear tested contained brominated flame retardants (BFRs). The highest BFR levels were in the newer non‑PFAS gear. The most common BFR detected was decabromodiphenyl ethane, a compound linked to thyroid problems. The researchers call for more study of replacement chemicals and for greater transparency from manufacturers so fire departments can make informed choices. Stapleton also leads another study investigating cancer risk among firefighters.
Difficult words
- turnout gear — protective clothing firefighters wear in dangerous situations
- textile — cloth material used to make clothing or geartextiles
- chemist — a scientist who studies chemicals and reactionsenvironmental chemist
- flame retardant — chemical added to materials to reduce fire riskbrominated flame retardants
- trace amount — a very small quantity of a substancetrace amounts
- transparency — open information that people can see
- compound — a substance made of two or more elements
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Should fire departments prefer gear advertised as not treated with PFAS? Why or why not?
- How important is it that manufacturers share information about chemicals in protective clothing? Give one reason.
- What might be the risk if replacement chemicals are not studied more before use?
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