In an effort to protect the health of firefighters throughout the state, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1181, a bill that bans the use of toxic, cancer-causing chemicals in firefighting uniforms and gear, according to a press release sent Tuesday from District 17 Assemblymember Matt Haney. The bill bans the use of Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” in the gear. According to the press release, PFAS are man-made chemicals that don’t break down in the environment and can build up in the human body. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to cancer and serious health problems.
According to theย U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, PFAS can be found in various products, including clothing and fabrics. They are also present in fire-fighting foams used by both civilian and military firefighters. Under the new law, OSHA must set a timeline and safety standard based on scientific research that will phase out PFAS from firefighter gear statewide. โTwenty years ago, heart disease was the leading threat to firefightersโ health,โ Haney said. โToday itโs cancer. We have a duty to make sure the very gear meant to keep them safe isnโt poisoning them.โ The state has already made strides in eliminating PFAS from firefighting foams, while AB 1181 aims to take the next step by requiring that all firefighter protective gear be free of PFAS by the beginning of 2028.
