Fire Unions Sue Gear Makers Over PFAS Costs

Firefighters across the United States continue to wear turnout gear containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a class of chemicals linked to cancer, while a legal battle determines who will pay for the upgrade. The dispute has stalled replacement efforts in departments nationwide, leaving crews in gear that may contain hazardous compounds.

A Notre Dame study published in 2020 confirmed high levels of PFAS in both new and used protective clothing. The research indicated the chemicals could leach from the fabric and absorb into the skin of first responders. Despite these findings, hundreds of thousands of firefighters remain in uniform with PFAS-infused materials. Cancer currently stands as the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths for firefighters, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters.

The cost of switching to PFAS-free equipment presents a major financial hurdle. Chris Albani, a Connecticut fire union representative, estimates the price for a baseline set of pants and a jacket reaches up to $3,000. When helmets and gloves are included, the total cost per member ranges from $5,000 to $8,000. For a department with 200 members, the expense creates a substantial burden for local municipalities.

Jennifer Sclar, an attorney representing fire unions and municipalities, states that manufacturers knew about the dangers of PFAS for decades but concealed that information. She argues the companies told firefighters the chemicals were safe while internal records suggested otherwise. Sclar is suing more than a dozen companies, including 3M and DuPont, to force them to cover the cost of replacement gear.

Documents analyzed by the Environmental Working Group show 3M and DuPont internally labeled PFAS as toxic in the 1960s and 1970s. By the 1980s, both companies moved women of childbearing age off certain assignments to limit exposure. In the 1990s, their own scientists found links between PFAS and cancer. 3M has argued in filings that it did not manufacture the specific gear worn by plaintiffs and that no direct physical injuries have been alleged. DuPont previously described the complaints as without merit.

Five class action lawsuits filed by various cities and towns have been consolidated into a single case in Minnesota. Ed Kelly, who leads the International Association of Fire Fighters, says the union wants manufacturers to pay for the gear. He expressed skepticism about buying new equipment from the same companies, citing the need for independent testing. In 2025, the Quincy, Massachusetts fire department paid millions for new PFAS-free gear, but independent tests later revealed high levels of the chemicals.

Mayor Thomas Koch of Quincy called the discovery outrageous at a press conference. The manufacturer involved stated it eliminated PFAS from its textiles in the same year Quincy purchased the gear. The case has heightened confusion among fire chiefs about the safety of alternative materials. Albani said he now avoids touching his current gear until necessary, a change from his previous routine of donning the suit for every call.