What Journey Did a Fall River Firefighter Take from Cancer Diagnosis to Legislative Victory?
Massachusetts became the second state in the nation to ban cancer-causing “forever chemicals” in firefighting gear after Governor Maura Healey signed legislation in August 2024. The hard-fought victory follows years of activism by Fall River firefighter Jason Burns and others who’ve linked these chemicals to the unusually high cancer rates among firefighters. Starting January 1, 2027, companies in Massachusetts will be prohibited from selling turnout gear containing intentionally added PFAS. The law represents a major milestone in protecting firefighters from occupational cancer risks that have claimed numerous lives in the service.
5 Key Points
- Firefighter Michael O’Reagan was among 15 Massachusetts firefighters who sued 25 chemical companies in 2022 over PFAS-related cancer.
- PFAS chemicals, used to make gear waterproof and heat-resistant, have been linked to several types of cancer, including liver, breast, and kidney
- Massachusetts became the second state after Connecticut to ban PFAS in firefighter gear, with enforcement beginning January 1, 2027
- Firefighters have a 9% higher cancer rate than the general population and a 14% higher risk of dying from it.
- Jason Burns, a Fall River firefighter and activist, plans to fight PFAS contamination beyond firefighting gear.
What Lawsuit Sparked This Major Change for Firefighters?
The movement against PFAS in firefighting gear gained significant momentum in 2022 when Michael O’Reagan, a Fall River firefighter diagnosed with lymphoma in 2016, joined 14 other Massachusetts firefighters in filing a federal lawsuit against 25 chemical companies. The 78-page lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Boston, accused these companies of “continuous and ongoing public deception” regarding the risks of PFAS chemicals used in firefighting equipment.
O’Reagan underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation before returning to duty two years after his diagnosis. In a 2018 Herald News profile, he was identified as the third firefighter from his truck company at the Stanley Street station to be diagnosed with lymphoma, pointing to an alarming pattern.
“We’re concerned that the chemical companies really didn’t sound the alarm for us,” said Joshua Hetzler, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1314, Fall River’s firefighters union. “You get on the job, you’re hired, and you’re not worried that the gear is going to kill you — you’re worried about the fire killing you.”
How Do PFAS Chemicals Affect Firefighters’ Health?
PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, comprise over 9,000 chemicals primarily manufactured by companies like 3M and DuPont. These chemicals add durability, stain-repellence, and water resistance to many products, including firefighting turnout gear and foam used to suppress chemical fires.
The Environmental Protection Agency has linked certain PFAS compounds to serious health conditions, including thyroid disease, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, and cancers of the liver, breasts, testicles, and kidneys. These “forever chemicals” are hazardous because they don’t break down naturally but accumulate in the body and environment.
What Health Injuries Are Firefighters Suffering From PFAS Exposure?
Firefighters exposed to PFAS through their gear and firefighting foam have experienced a range of serious health conditions. Lab testing confirmed that firefighters involved in the lawsuit had “significantly elevated” levels of PFAS in their blood, providing tangible evidence of their exposure through protective equipment.
Conditions linked to PFAS exposure in firefighters include:
- Cancer: Multiple types, including lymphoma, prostate, liver, kidney, testicular, and breast cancer
- Endocrine disorders: Thyroid disease and hormone disruption
- Gastrointestinal issues: Ulcerative colitis and other digestive disorders
- Cardiovascular problems: High cholesterol and related heart conditions
- Immune system dysfunction: Reduced vaccine response and impaired immunity
Firefighters may qualify for legal action if they’ve been diagnosed with one of these conditions and have a history of using PFAS-containing gear or foam. Those with documented elevated PFAS blood levels, like the Massachusetts firefighters who joined the lawsuit, have extreme cases against chemical manufacturers.
According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, firefighters experience a 9% higher rate of cancer than the general population and a 14% higher risk of dying from it. From 2002 to 2019, two out of three firefighters who died in the line of duty died of occupational cancer, revealing the deadly impact of chemical exposure in their profession.
How Did a Firefighter Become a Leading Activist?
The fight against PFAS began with Diane Cotter, whose husband Paul, a retired Worcester firefighter, was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in 2014. Her research revealed the high concentration of PFAS chemicals in firefighting gear, prompting wider awareness about their potential dangers.
Jason Burns, a Fall River firefighter, joined the cause after seeing young friends and colleagues die from cancer. Burns urged Fall River firefighters to participate in a regional study with Nantucket and Hyannis to measure how PFAS sheds from gear and enters the bloodstream.
“Somewhere along the way, I found that ability, or that voice and comfort level, to get out front and talk about these things and have uncomfortable conversations,” Burns said. His activism gained national attention, including a feature in the documentary short “Burned” produced by actor Mark Ruffalo, and led to his appointment as executive director of the Last Call Foundation, a nonprofit focused on firefighter safety.
Burns’ lobbying efforts culminated in passing the Massachusetts law banning PFAS in firefighting gear after similar bills had failed in 2019. The direct approach proved effective. “I love the idea of your support, but I actually don’t need that. I need your vote. Bring it to a vote, but bring it to the floor, and I want your vote,” Burns recalled telling legislators.
What Does the New Law Accomplish for Firefighter Safety?
The Massachusetts law prohibits companies from selling firefighting gear containing “intentionally-added PFAS” anywhere in the Commonwealth. It will be enforceable beginning January 1, 2027, making it effective earlier than Connecticut’s similar legislation.
“Ultimately, it was the strongest bill,” Burns said, crediting state Senators Michael Moore and Julian Cyr and state Rep. Jim Hawkins for their work. “Hopefully, it’s a model that other states can use to protect their firefighters.”
However, the law doesn’t immediately remove PFAS-containing gear from service. Firefighters will continue using potentially dangerous equipment until cities purchase new PFAS-free gear. In Fall River, turnout gear typically remains in service for two cycles, or approximately seven to ten years, with each new set costing around $4,000.
“We know that it causes cancer. We know that it’s saturated with toxic chemicals,” Burns said. “Clearly, they have a moral obligation to get us out of it as soon as possible.”
The law also doesn’t address how to safely dispose of old gear, which requires incineration at 2,200 degrees to break down the PFAS chemicals. Without proper disposal, these chemicals could continue contaminating landfills and water supplies.
Why Does the Fight Against PFAS Extend Beyond Firefighters?
The problem of PFAS extends far beyond firefighting equipment. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated that in 2023, 45% of the nation’s tap water contained at least one PFAS chemical. According to the Environmental Working Group, 99% of Americans have some level of PFAS contamination in their blood, including newborn babies.
These chemicals appear in numerous consumer products, from fast food packaging to waterproof mascara, smartphone screens, and medical devices. Their persistence in the environment has raised significant public health concerns.
While Burns achieved a major victory for firefighter safety, he doesn’t consider his work finished. “I’ll tell you this: I’m not abandoning the PFAS fight because we’ve been taken care of,” Burns said, referring to firefighters. “Certainly, that’s my wheelhouse, and that’s what I’m always going to push, but it would be out of character to walk away from someone else’s fight at this point.”
His commitment suggests that the battle against PFAS will continue expanding to address contamination affecting broader communities beyond the firefighting profession.
On this page:
