SAN DIEGO — Over the past 10 years, 152 firefighters in the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department have been diagnosed with occupational cancer.
A group of fire chiefs on Tuesday drew attention to the cancer risks that come with the personal protective equipment firefighters wear and called for alternatives.
"It would be impossible to remove all cancer exposure risk in one fell swoop; however, incremental steps to reduce risks are important," Fire Chief Colin Stowell said in a news release. "The agencies in our region are committed to following research guidelines and doing everything we can to keep our firefighters healthy and free from cancer."
Standard PPE for firefighters has included per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals," since 1971, according to the release. Research shows PFAS can be found in all three layers of firefighters' gear, and those chemicals can be inhaled, absorbed and ingested.
The World Health Organization has classified occupational firefighting as a group 1 carcinogenic, according to the release.
A state bill introduced in May aims to to protect firefighters from these cancer-causing chemicals.
As local fire agencies look for safer alternatives, they are instructing firefighters to only wear their turnouts while working, and not at community events or other non-essential activities.
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