San Francisco has become the first major U.S. city to ban PFAS chemicals from its firefighters' protective gear, aiming to reduce the elevated cancer risk among firefighters.
Susan Shain reports for High Country News.
In short:
- Firefighters face a higher cancer risk, with PFAS in their gear contributing significantly.
- San Francisco's new ordinance mandates PFAS-free gear by June 2026 at a cost of $10.1 million.
- Other cities like Vancouver and Concord have made similar commitments, with new gear receiving positive feedback.
Key quote:
“We have this unique risk in our occupation that is really hard to mitigate sometimes.”
— Russell F. Osgood, vice president of education, research and outreach at the nonprofit Firefighter Cancer Support Network.
Why this matters:
Firefighters face elevated cancer risks due to their regular exposure to toxic substances during fires and training exercises. PFAS compounds, found in many firefighting foams and gear, are particularly concerning because they can accumulate in the body over time and are known to be highly persistent in the environment. San Francisco’s initiative could set a precedent for other cities, potentially improving health outcomes for firefighters nationwide.
