Horry County fire officials say they’re moving toward PFAS-free gear to better protect firefighters from cancer-causing chemicals. The announcement comes as part of a broader effort to reduce health risks tied to firefighting. “Firefighters have a 9% higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14% higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population, according to research from the CDC,” said Mike Norket, Horry County Firefighter. Officials said current gear still contains PFAS, but it’s embedded in a barrier layer that doesn’t contact with the skin. New uniforms will phase the chemical out completely.
