How PFAS End Up in Firefighter Gear: What Most Departments Don’t Know
Firefighter turnout gear is designed to do one thing above all else: protect lives in the most extreme environments imaginable. But for decades, that protection has come with a hidden trade-off—the widespread use of PFAS chemicals embedded directly into traditional firefighting gear.
Many departments assume PFAS exposure comes only from fire scenes or contaminated water supplies. What most don’t realize is that the gear itself is often a primary source of PFAS exposure, worn directly against the body, shift after shift.
This article breaks down how PFAS end up in firefighter gear, where contamination occurs, and why it matters—in plain language.
What Are PFAS—and Why Were They Used in Fire Gear?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of man-made chemicals prized for their ability to:
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Repel water
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Resist oils and chemicals
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Withstand high heat
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Last for decades without breaking down
Those traits made PFAS appealing for outer shell coatings, moisture barriers, and water-repellent finishes in turnout gear.
From a performance standpoint, PFAS worked.
From a health standpoint, we now know they don’t belong in something worn directly on the body for years.
The Primary Pathways: How PFAS Get Into Turnout Gear
1. PFAS-Based Durable Water Repellent (DWR) Coatings
Many traditional turnout coats and pants use PFAS-based DWR finishes applied to the outer shell fabric. These coatings help shed water, fuel, and chemicals—but they are not permanently bonded to the fabric.
Over time, PFAS can:
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Abrade off with normal movement
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Break down during heat exposure
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Transfer to skin, station surfaces, and vehicles
This means the protective feature becomes a chronic exposure source.
2. Moisture Barriers and Laminates
Some moisture barriers rely on fluorinated membranes or treatments to block liquids while allowing breathability.
As these layers flex, age, and undergo repeated laundering:
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Micro-particles can shed
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Chemical residues migrate
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PFAS can move from inner layers toward the skin
This is especially concerning because the moisture barrier sits closest to the body.
3. Manufacturing & Supply Chain Contamination
Even when PFAS aren’t intentionally added, contamination can occur during:
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Fabric weaving
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Chemical finishing processes
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Shared manufacturing lines
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Bulk chemical handling
A fabric may test “compliant” at one stage, then pick up PFAS downstream. Without intentional PFAS-free sourcing and verification, contamination can easily slip in unnoticed.
4. Heat, Wear, and Time Make It Worse
Fire gear doesn’t sit on a hanger—it’s exposed to:
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Extreme heat cycles
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Combustion byproducts
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Repeated laundering
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Mechanical abrasion
These stresses accelerate PFAS release from coatings and layers, increasing the chance of absorption through the skin or inhalation of particulates.
Why This Matters: The Exposure Most Departments Overlook
PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” because they:
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Do not naturally break down
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Accumulate in the human body
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Build up over years of exposure
Firefighters already face elevated cancer risks from smoke, soot, and toxic environments. Wearing PFAS-treated gear adds another layer of exposure—one that’s present even during routine calls, training, and station time.
What’s often overlooked:
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PFAS exposure doesn’t require a fire
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Gear can off-gas and shed in stations
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Contamination spreads to lockers, vehicles, and homes
The Shift Away from PFAS: A Growing Industry Reckoning
The fire service is at a turning point.
Regulators, researchers, and manufacturers are increasingly acknowledging that chemical-based protection isn’t the only option anymore. Advances in textile engineering now allow for:
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Water and heat resistance without PFAS
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Mechanical fabric performance instead of chemical coatings
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Reduced long-term health tradeoffs
Departments are beginning to ask better questions—not just “Does it meet NFPA?” but also “What’s in it?”
What Departments Should Be Asking Right Now
Before the next gear purchase, departments should consider asking:
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Are PFAS intentionally added to this gear?
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Has the fabric been independently tested for PFAS?
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Do performance claims rely on chemical treatments or fabric engineering?
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How does this gear reduce long-term exposure risk?
These questions are becoming just as important as traditional performance metrics.
Final Thought: Protection Shouldn’t Come With a Hidden Cost
Firefighters accept risk as part of the job—but avoidable, built-in chemical exposure shouldn’t be one of them.
Understanding how PFAS end up in gear is the first step toward smarter purchasing decisions, safer stations, and healthier careers. As alternatives continue to emerge, departments now have the opportunity to protect their people without introducing unnecessary long-term hazards.
