How Does New NIST Research Reveal PFAS Contamination Beyond Standard Firefighting Equipment?
Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) discovered the widespread presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighter gloves, hoods, and wildland gear, according to findings published on December 13, 2023. The team detected these potentially harmful “forever chemicals” in 25 out of 32 textile samples tested between 2021 and 2023. This study expands on previous NIST research showing firefighters have higher PFAS blood levels than the general population, with scientists identifying 19 different types of these chemicals across various equipment samples. NIST chemist Rick Davis led the investigation, which revealed significant variation in PFAS concentrations, including a single wildland gear sample containing 4,240 micrograms per kilogram.
5 Key Points
- NIST researchers found PFAS chemicals in 78% of textile samples taken from firefighter gloves, hoods, and wildland gear during tests conducted from 2021-2023.
- The highest concentration detected was 4,240 micrograms per kilogram in a wildland firefighting equipment sample.
- Firefighter hoods contained minimal PFAS levels, while inside layers of gloves had PFAS concentrations comparable to those previously found in coats and pants.
- Congress specifically directed NIST to investigate PFAS in firefighter gear through the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act.
- NIST plans follow-up research on how equipment wear and tear might increase detectable PFAS levels in the same samples.
Where Are PFAS Chemicals Found in Firefighter Equipment?
The latest NIST study targeted three specific types of firefighter protective equipment: gloves and hoods worn by structural firefighters (those who combat building fires) and specialized gear worn by wildland firefighters. Researchers focused on hoods and gloves because these items directly contact skin, unlike coats and pants typically worn over base layers.
Davis and his team systematically disassembled the equipment, creating 32 distinct textile samples from four types of gloves, eight hoods, and nine wildland firefighter gear obtained from various manufacturers between 2021 and 2023. All items tested were commercially available products actively used in the field.
“Our latest study showed that PFAS are present not only in the jacket and pants worn by firefighters, but also in many of the smaller protective garments,” explained Rick Davis, NIST chemist and study co-author. The researchers employed rigorous extraction methods, transferring PFAS from each textile sample into solvent before testing for 55 different PFAS chemicals.
Results revealed significant variation across equipment types. Wildland firefighting gear, previously assumed to contain minimal PFAS due to its single-layer construction, showed the highest concentration of any sample tested—approximately 4,240 micrograms per kilogram in one piece.
Why Do Manufacturers Use PFAS in Firefighter Protective Gear?
PFAS chemicals serve critical functional purposes in firefighter equipment, particularly for water resistance. Current safety standards for firefighter gear mandate minimum water resistance requirements to prevent steam burns and provide protection from chemicals encountered during firefighting operations.
The water-repellent properties of PFAS-treated fabrics also enhance safety by preventing heat transfer through moisture. As Davis explained, “Water resistance tends to make gear safer because heat can travel much more efficiently through water than through air. For example, a dry potholder will let you safely pull a hot dish out of an oven. But that same dish can give you a third-degree burn in just one second if the potholder is wet.”
Manufacturers incorporate PFAS into firefighting textiles specifically because these chemicals effectively repel water while resisting breakdown under extreme conditions. This chemical stability—the same property that earns PFAS the “forever chemicals” nickname—makes them particularly useful in creating durable protective equipment that maintains functionality under harsh conditions.
The NIST research does not suggest manufacturers eliminate PFAS without suitable alternatives that maintain necessary protection levels. Instead, the findings provide crucial data for assessing potential health impacts and developing safer equipment options.
What Health Concerns Are Associated With PFAS Exposure?
While the NIST studies do not directly assess health risks, they provide critical data for toxicologists, epidemiologists, and health experts investigating PFAS exposure among firefighters. Previous research has established that firefighters typically have higher PFAS blood levels than the general population, raising significant health concerns.
PFAS exposure has been linked to numerous potential health effects, particularly with long-term or high-concentration exposure. Health experts have identified several potential symptoms and conditions associated with PFAS exposure:
- Increased risk of kidney and testicular cancers
- Liver damage and elevated liver enzymes
- Decreased fertility and pregnancy complications
- Thyroid hormone disruption and disease
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Weakened immune system response to vaccines
- Developmental delays in children
- Increased risk of high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy
- Decreased birth weight in newborns
- Inflammatory bowel conditions
The scientific understanding of PFAS health impacts continues to evolve, with researchers particularly concerned about these chemicals’ persistence in the environment and the human body. Unlike most substances that eventually break down or are eliminated, PFAS can accumulate over time, potentially causing progressive health deterioration with continued exposure.
What’s Next for PFAS Research in Firefighter Equipment?
NIST researchers plan to conduct follow-up studies examining how wear and tear affect PFAS levels in the same equipment samples. Previous NIST research on firefighter coats and pants demonstrated that worn or damaged gear often releases more measurable PFAS, potentially increasing exposure risk over time.
“We still don’t know what this means in terms of risk to a firefighter’s health,” Davis acknowledged, “but understanding where PFAS is will help us reduce potential impacts as we learn more about these chemicals.”
The NIST investigation continues under Congressional mandate from the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, which specifically directed NIST to study PFAS in firefighter gear. This ongoing research represents a crucial step toward understanding exposure pathways and developing evidence-based safety recommendations for firefighter protective equipment.
As researchers gather more data, equipment manufacturers and fire departments may develop strategies to minimize PFAS exposure while maintaining necessary protection levels. The significant variation in PFAS concentrations across different samples suggests opportunities for developing safer gear alternatives without compromising firefighter safety.
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