Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has recently signed a bill into law that will gradually eliminate the use of PFAS, a harmful group of industrial compounds, in the protective gear used by firefighters. These chemicals, known to be linked to serious health issues like various types of cancer, have been traditionally used in firefighting gear to repel water and other substances during fire emergencies. With the new law, Massachusetts joins Connecticut as the only states with legislation specifically targeting PFAS in firefighters’ protective equipment.
The law, effective from January 2025, mandates manufacturers and sellers of personal protective equipment containing PFAS to provide purchasers with written notice at the time of sale. Starting in 2027, these entities will be prohibited from knowingly selling gear containing PFAS. The focus on firefighting gear as a source of PFAS exposure reflects a broader trend in addressing the presence of these chemicals in various everyday products, such as food packaging and clothing.
Richard MacKinnon, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, emphasized the significance of the new law in reducing occupational cancer risks for firefighters. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has highlighted that cancer has overtaken heart disease as the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths among firefighters, underscoring the urgent need for measures like the PFAS ban.
Advocates and activists, while acknowledging the positive steps taken with the new law, stress the importance of expanding efforts to reduce widespread exposure to PFAS. They point to unfinished legislation that aimed to ban PFAS in various consumer products and set up initiatives to monitor and treat water sources for PFAS contamination. Similar efforts have been seen in other states like Connecticut, Vermont, and Colorado, where laws targeting PFAS in different products and industries have been enacted.
Legal actions have also been taken against manufacturers and sellers related to PFAS exposure, with a class action complaint filed in Connecticut on behalf of firefighters affected by PFAS in their protective gear. The move to eliminate PFAS from firefighting equipment is seen as a crucial step in safeguarding the health and safety of firefighters and reducing the risks associated with these harmful chemicals in occupational settings.