In February 2022, firefighters from towns throughout Massachusetts, including Worcester and Boston, sued chemical companies 3M and DuPont. The 15 firefighters allege that these chemical companies have manufactured PFAS-containing products for firefighting use that, unbeknownst to firefighters, expose them to negative health effects.
All of the firefighters mentioned in the lawsuit developed cancer, with most developing prostate cancer. According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, America’s largest firefighting union, cancer is the leading cause of death for firefighters, which is consistent with PFAS’ links to cancer.
As mentioned in a previous three-blog series covering how the public found out about PFAS, DuPont and 3M are major industrial manufacturers of PFAS. They have manufactured PFAS for a variety of uses, including non-stick applications. Because PFAS has high temperature and chemical strength, they are consistently found in firefighting gear.
PFAS is a major component of aqueous film-forming films (AFFFs). Although most fire departments have discontinued their use of AFFFs, residual PFAS may still reside on the surface of firefighting gear.
While reading the suit, I noticed that the document drew upon findings previously exposed in Rob Bilott’s lawsuit against 3M and DuPont(see earlier links). It’s interesting and fitting how such a landmark case has provided a precedent and framework upon which people inflicted with health complications from PFAS can punish chemical companies which have directly led to their exposure. Of all industries other than those that directly work with PFAS manufacturing, firefighting most urgently needs workplace regulations to keep these brave people safe.
Sources
Boston.com
WGBH.org