A new Massachusetts law bans the use of cancer-linked PFAS chemicals in firefighting gear, marking a significant win for firefighter safety advocates.
Kinga Borondy reports for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
In short:
- Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed a law banning PFAS in firefighter protective gear, effective by 2027.
- The law aims to prevent occupational cancer among firefighters, a disease that has caused 66% of firefighter deaths from 2002 to 2019.
- Advocates, including firefighters and their families, pushed for this law after discovering the harmful effects of these chemicals.
Key quote:
“This was a crucial part of our fight against occupational diseases. We’ve known for years that our gear was saturated with PFAS. We believe the law will speed up the development of PFAS-free gear.”
— Richard MacKinnon Jr., president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts
Why this matters:
Firefighters, already facing the dangers of their job, have been battling these invisible threats for years. This ban marks a huge victory, not just for firefighters on the front lines, but also for the broader fight against toxic chemicals in our environment.
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