North Carolina firefighters are committed to reducing PFAS pollution

Thanks to the strong advocacy of Local 4576 leadership, firefighters in New Hanover County, North Carolina are now responding to certain emergencies with PFAS-free equipment.

“Our long-term goal is to reduce or eliminate our members’ exposure to PFAS while wearing clothing that meets national safety standards,” said Christopher Geary, president of Local 4576. “This alternative gear is a great first step toward achieving this achieving this goal. And we appreciate the fire department’s support throughout this process.”

Local 4576 leaders contacted New Hanover County Fire Rescue (NHCFR) leadership in 2023 with concerns about regularly wearing firefighting equipment that contains PFAS.

They explained that exposure to the eternal chemical has been shown to cause cancer, thyroid disease and other illnesses. And PFAS are present in all layers of the turnout clothing they wear at work.

In addition to considering the potential health risks of PFAS exposure, Hanover County firefighters said full turnout gear is not required for every callout and that PFAS-free gear may be used on certain calls. They also pointed to the joint recommendation from the IAFF and the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association. This document identified ways to reduce exposure, including replacing turnout clothing with PFAS-free equipment and eliminating the practice of wearing turnout clothing during operations that do not require this level of protection.

The local management and the fire department agreed to purchase Innotex’s NON-PFAS multifunctional equipment, which is certified for use in technical rescue operations, forest fires and rescue operations.

The new gear arrived Oct. 16 and Local 4576 members are wearing it now Calls that do not involve structure fires, gas leaks, car fires, or other calls that may require conventional equipment.

Local 4576 leaders look forward to the results of IAFF’s field testing of turnout gear made from PFAS-free materials. Once testing is complete, the township plans to use the testing data to work with fire management to purchase anti-cancer equipment that can be used in any emergencies.