North Carolina fire fighters move to reduce PFAS exposure 

A North Carolina local is working hard to reduce the frequency members are exposed to PFAS. New gear free of the carcinogen arrived Oct. 16.

October 24 • 2024

New Hanover County, North Carolina, fire fighters are now responding to certain emergencies in PFAS-free gear thanks to strong advocacy by Local 4576 leadership. 
 
“Our long-range goal is to reduce or eliminate our members’ PFAS exposure while wearing gear that meets the national safety standard requirements,” Local 4576 President Christopher Geary said. “This alternative gear is a great first step toward meeting that goal. And we appreciate fire department management’s support throughout this process.” 
  
Local 4576 leaders contacted New Hanover County Fire Rescue (NHCFR) management in 2023 with concerns about regularly wearing firefighting gear that contains PFAS.  

They explained that exposure to the forever chemical has been shown to cause cancer, thyroid disease, and other illnesses. And PFAS can be found in all layers of the turnout gear they wear on the job.   
 
In addition to reviewing the potential health hazards of PFAS exposure, Hanover County fire fighters explained that full turnout gear was not necessary for every call and that PFAS-free gear could be used for certain calls. They also pointed to the joint advisory the IAFF and the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association released. That document outlined ways to reduce exposure, including replacing turnout gear with PFAS-free gear and discontinuing the practice of wearing turnout gear to calls that do not require that level of protection.   

The Local and fire department management agreed on the purchase of NON-PFAS Innotex multi-function gear, which is certified for use in technical rescues, wildland fires, and EMS incidents. 

The new gear arrived on Oct. 16 and Local 4576 members now wear it on calls that do not involve structural fires, gas leaks, car fires, or other calls that may need traditional gear.   

Local 4576 leaders are looking forward to the results of the IAFF’s field testing of turnout gear made with PFAS-free materials. Once the testing is complete, the local plans to use the testing data to work with fire department management to purchase gear free of the carcinogen that can be used during all emergencies.