U.S. Forest Service Halts Distribution of PFAS-Contaminated Firefighter Pants After Exposure

Following a ProPublica investigation, the U.S. Forest Service has ceased issuing wildland firefighter clothing known to contain PFAS, or 'forever chemicals.' The agency also stated it will instruct its equipment manufacturers to avoid using PFAS in future gear. ProPublica reported that until at least 2023, one of the Forest Service's suppliers, TenCate, used finishing products containing a PFAS compound on a Kevlar-blend pant fabric to repel gasoline and water. Despite internal knowledge of the PFAS use, Forest Service officials had not previously informed the firefighters who wore the gear. PFAS have long been used in protective equipment for their repellent properties, but many municipal fire departments have moved away from them as research reveals significant health risks. Firefighters in multiple states have filed class-action lawsuits against manufacturers, alleging harm from PFAS exposure. Research on the specific risks to wildland firefighters has been limited, and agencies like the Forest Service have been slow to publicly address the issue. One day after ProPublica's article was published, a Forest Service cache manager circulated an email instructing colleagues to widely distribute the information, signaling a rapid internal response to the public exposure.