The Build Back Better bill passed by the House of Representatives and awaiting Senate approval includes $95 million for local fire departments to purchase firefighting foam and gear made without the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS.
Studies show that firefighters have higher levels of PFAS in their blood serum than the average American. PFAS are linked to various health harms, including some kinds of cancer. The exposures happen through the use of firefighting foam containing PFAS, called aqueous film-forming foam, or AFFF, and protective clothing treated with PFAS.
