Firefighters across California may soon be better protected from toxic chemicals in their own equipment, thanks to a new bill that seeks to eliminate cancer-causing substances from their uniforms.
This week, firefighters and lawmakers gathered at Fire Station 34 in Pasadena to promote Assembly Bill 1181. The bipartisan bill targets perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as “forever chemicals,” found in firefighters’ protective clothing. If passed, the legislation would begin phasing out PFAS in firefighter gear starting in 2027.
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“The very equipment we use to keep others safe is making us sick,” said Sina Riahi of San Francisco Firefighters Local 798, which represents 1,700 members.
PFAS were once hailed for their resistance to fire, water, and heat. But they’re now recognized as hazardous carcinogens that linger in the body and environment for generations. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies firefighting as a cancer-causing occupation. Of the 306 firefighters honored at the International Association of Fire Fighters’ memorial in 2024, three-quarters died from occupational cancer.
Riahi said over 300 firefighters in his network have died from cancer since the San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation was established in 2006. While exposure to smoke and toxins is a known risk, PFAS in turnout gear are another major concern.
California has already banned firefighting foam containing PFAS, but similar chemicals still exist in gear used by over 50,000 firefighters across the state. “You can’t put it in toys, packaging, or makeup,” said Assemblymember Matt Haney, who authored AB 1181. “Yet it’s still found in every form of firefighter gear.”
Other states like New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut have passed similar PFAS bans for firefighter gear, with deadlines set for 2027–2028. California would join their ranks if AB 1181 becomes law.
In San Francisco, Mayor Daniel Lurie recently announced a $500,000 pilot program to provide advanced cancer screenings for firefighters. The city has already begun funding a local PFAS phaseout in gear and equipment.
Despite the momentum, challenges remain. No proven PFAS-free gear has yet met current safety standards. California Professional Firefighters president Brian Rice said that while manufacturers claim to have alternatives, firefighters won’t trust them until they’re independently tested.
Firefighters are also unsure how departments will fund the transition to new gear. A national bill to support PFAS-free gear development stalled in 2023, and many manufacturers have remained silent on the issue.
Still, supporters of AB 1181 are optimistic. “California can lead,” said Rice. “We’ll develop it here—and the manufacturers will respond to us.”
