CT firefighters are dying from cancer likely due to their gear. Lawmakers want to help
With cancer the number one cause of death for firefighters, Connecticut lawmakers are considering a bill that would allocate $3 million to replace fire apparatus thought to be causing cancer.
Studies have shown over the years that perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAs), a class of fluorinated chemicals known as 'forever chemicals' have been linked to cancer and other serious health effects, according to the International Association of Firefighters.
The IAFF found in studies that all three layers of firefighter turnout gear, the protective clothing and equipment firefighters wear, contain PFAs.
'We feel very strongly that PFAS is a significant factor in those increased cancer rates,' Brown said. 'We are hopeful that we will never have to put gear on that contains PFAs and that we will see a reduction in cancer rates in the next generation of firefighters.'
But though the state has been taking steps to eliminate PFAs from turnout gear and from the firefighting foam used to put out fires, the process is costly, deterring some departments and taking a toll on others who were eager to get potentially safer gear.
Sen. John Kissel, R-Enfield, wrote in his testimony in support of the bill that in 2021 the state 'took an important step by banning the use of firefighting foams containing PFAs.
'However, fire departments that acted early to comply with this law have faced financial burdens as previous reimbursement programs only covered removals completed after July 1, 2023,' Kissel wrote.
HB 7120 aims to address the epidemic of cancer among firefighters and also help departments shoulder the cost of replacing PFAs-containing firefighting gear. The bill would establish a pilot program to screen Connecticut firefighters for cancers common to firefighters and require municipalities to provide additional sets of turnout gear to firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer or are at an increased risk of developing cancer. It would also provide grants to departments that still need to replace PFAs-containing fire apparatus and provide reimbursement to those that replaced turnout gear prior to July 1, 2023.
Peter Brown, president of the Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut, said with firefighters getting cancer at a higher rate than the general population it is imperative to protect them.
John Carew, Connecticut State Firefighters Association legislative representative and past president of the Connecticut State Firefighters Association, also said the bill is integral.
But Carew also cited concerns with the bill. First, PFAs-free gear is hard to get because just one manufacturer currently is making it. Second, it's expensive. A set of PFAs-free gear costs roughly $4,000, he said.
There are concerns also about the durability of the gear. Conventional gear containing PFAs lasts approximately 10 years, Carew said, while PFAs-free gear may last only up to two years.
Last year legislators passed SB 292 which bans the manufacturing, selling or distributing of products containing PFAs beginning on Jan. 1, 2028, according to the bill's analysis.
The products include apparel, carpets or rugs, cleaning products, cookware, cosmetics, dental floss, fabric treatments, children's products, menstruation products, ski wax, textile furnishings, and upholstered furniture, according to an analysis of the bill.
There are concerns about the PFAs-free turnout gear, too. The National Fire Protection Association has found through testing of the PFAs-free gear that it is 'less breathable and offers less thermal protection, which could lead to higher heat stress among firefighters.'
Brown has also learned of those concerns, he said.
Waterbury Assistant Fire Chief Javier Lopez said his department decided not to move forward at this time with PFAs-free gear after testing the gear for three months. Lopez said they also cited concerns about heat-related issues related to the gear, which could include potential cardiac issues.
Brown said since the legislature passed a law providing firefighters with occupational cancer job protection, there have been 30-35 cancer claims. But he believes that number is higher at around 50. To protect the next generation, PFAs in turnout gear must be addressed.
'They don't have to put the agent back on their body that could have caused their initial claim,' he said.
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