PFAS Forever Chemicals in Firefighting: Exposure, Decontamination, and Public Health Guidance

Short Wave dives into PFAS, the forever chemicals, and how they end up in our bodies. Melissa Furlong explains what PFAS are, why they are so persistent, and how firefighters may face higher exposures from gear and foams. NPR follows the US study enrolling about 8,000 firefighters, measuring PFAS in blood and asking about occupational and lifestyle factors, including plasma donation and blood donation. The episode outlines how blood donation and plasma donation may be linked to lower PFAS levels, and it discusses practical steps listeners can take to reduce exposure, such as water filtration, testing well water, and choosing treated water. It also features policy efforts like the Clean Cab Initiative aimed at decontamination and safer practices on the scene and after fire events.

Overview of PFAS and Forever Chemicals

PFAS, commonly referred to as forever chemicals, are a broad class of substances used for their oil and water repellency and heat resistance. The episode explains how PFAS accumulate in the body and why exposure is a public health concern. Melissa Furlong, an assistant professor of environmental health sciences, notes that PFAS can be found in everyday items such as cookware, clothing, cosmetics, and stain-resistant furnishings, as well as in firefighting gear and foams used at fire scenes.

Occupational Exposure in Firefighting

The conversation turns to how firefighters might be exposed to PFAS. The gear itself uses PFAS properties for protection against heat, oil, and water, which could contribute to higher body burdens. PFAS also linger in firefighting foams, though some foams are being phased out as risks become better understood. The researchers emphasize multiple potential exposure pathways, with on-scene decontamination and gear handling as critical factors.

"PFAS is intentionally added to firefighter gear because it has oil repelling, water repelling, and heat repelling properties." - Melissa Furlong, University of Arizona

Research Approach and Baseline Findings

To study exposure, the team collects data from a large cohort of about 8,000 firefighters, relying on self-reports and periodic sampling, including PFAS measurement in blood. They compare baseline PFAS levels with occupational histories and lifestyle characteristics, including evidence from an Australian study that precedes their work. A notable finding is that individuals with a history of plasma or blood donation tend to have lower PFAS levels, aligning with prior international observations. The researchers stress that this is baseline information used to guide future health outcome analyses.

"People who reported a history of plasma donation had much lower levels of PFAS than people who did not report a history of plasma donation." - Melissa Furlong, University of Arizona

Individual and Community Action to Reduce Exposure

The episode shifts to practical steps listeners can take to minimize PFAS exposure. Water filtration and drinking bottled water were associated with lower PFAS levels, while well water could harbor higher PFAS due to groundwater contamination from nearby sources. The interviewee recommends testing well water and installing effective filtration, such as reverse osmosis, particularly for those on wells. The goal is to empower individuals while policymakers and manufacturers work to reduce overall exposure.

"We found that water filtration and bottled water were associated with lower PFAS." - Melissa Furlong, University of Arizona

Policy, Safety and the Path Forward

Beyond personal actions, the podcast highlights initiatives like the Clean Cab Initiative, which promotes decontamination practices after fire scenes and on-scene gear management to limit contaminant transfer. The host stresses the importance of turning research into safer operations and broader health protections for both firefighters and the general public. The segment also features a public health framing that encourages policymakers and manufacturers to address PFAS exposure systematically.

"The Clean Cab Initiative has already been rolled out across a lot of departments." - Regina Barber, NPR