PFAS "Forever Chemicals" in Firefighting Foam and Gear

Firefighters shouldn’t have to worry that the tools they use to fight fires are giving them cancer. And, drinking water and communities shouldn’t be contaminated by the hazardous chemicals put into these tools.

But that is exactly the problem we face. Highly toxic, persistent PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), that are linked to cancer, are put into firefighting foam and are one of the major causes of drinking water contamination for millions of people across the country. These foams, designed for oil fires, have been used at training facilities, airports, military bases and in municipal firefighting for decades.

The gear that firefighters use is also laden with PFAS chemicals. This is extremely concerning given the fact that the number one cause of death among firefighters is cancer.

Firefighters and the communities they protect are suffering the devastating health impacts of exposure to these “forever chemicals” because they are linked to a range of health impacts from cancer to immune suppression. Taxpayers are also paying billions to clean up the mess.

Current lawsuits have uncovered evidence that the chemical industry knew the dangers of these chemicals, but continued to make and sell them.

It is time to end this major source of exposure for firefighters and the pollution of drinking water and communities.

Toxic-Free Future works with firefighters and others in the fire service, as well as local, state, and national partners to end the use of PFAS firefighting foams and gear and to ensure substitutes are safer.

Our Impact

In July 2024, SeaTac Airport became one of the first in the U.S. to transition to PFAS-free firefighting foam—a major milestone resulting from Toxic-Free Future’s work
Congress directed the U.S. military to phase out PFAS-based foam by October 2024
- As part of this phaseout, the Department of Defense (DOD) released a revised military specification allowing the purchase and use of PFAS-free firefighting foam
Despite a 2021 Congressional requirement, PFAS-based foam was still in use at most airports as of February 2023
- Toxic-Free Future has continued to push for full implementation of PFAS-free alternatives at airports
GreenScreen Certified™, developed by our partners at Clean Production Action, has identified:
- 35 PFAS-free foams from 11 manufacturers that meet safety standards and do not contain other hazardous chemicals
- It remains the only global certification for PFAS-free firefighting foam
Toxic-Free Future led efforts in Washington state to:
- Restrict the use of PFAS in firefighting foam
- Require disclosure of PFAS in firefighter turnout gear
- Washington passed the first law of its kind in the U.S. in March 2018
Nine additional states have since adopted similar policies: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont