The firefighters' silent enemy: Decades of PFAS danger in fire gear exposed

WASHINGTON (7News) — The 7News I-Team has been at the forefront of uncovering a hidden danger silently impacting our nation's firefighters. For years, our investigations have revealed the presence of dangerous PFAS "forever chemicals" not only in the heavy-duty turnout gear they wear into burning buildings, but shockingly, even in the daily uniforms they wear at the station. Now, a significant new development signals a potential turning point in the fight for accountability and the safety of these heroes.

On April 3, a class-action lawsuit was filed, directly targeting major manufacturers of firefighter turnout gear. The lawsuit alleges a shocking decades-long cover-up, claiming these companies knowingly concealed the risks associated with PFAS embedded in the very equipment designed to protect our first responders. Furthermore, the suit contends they failed to provide safer alternatives, leaving firefighters unknowingly exposed to these hazardous substances.

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This legal action underscores the critical issue the I-Team has been investigating: the alarming connection between a firefighter's selfless service and a significantly elevated risk of cancer and other devastating illnesses.

These brave men and women rush into infernos without hesitation. But what if the very gear meant to shield them is, in fact, contributing to a silent and deadly threat?

For Diane Cotter, this terrifying reality became undeniable when her husband, Paul, a dedicated firefighter, received a life-altering cancer diagnosis.

"And when the doctor said those words, 'It's cancer,' I screamed. And my husband just broke out into a white sweat," said Cotter.

Paul's aggressive cancer not only ended his career but ignited Diane's determined quest to understand the disproportionately high rates of cancer plaguing the fire service. Working alongside leading scientists who rigorously tested Paul's turnout gear, as well as countless others from across the country, a disturbing truth emerged. Embedded within the fabric of their protective clothing was PFAS – a class of chemicals prized for its water and heat resistance, but with a dark side: a strong link to various cancers.

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"The numbers of these chemicals in our report, they look like a typo,” said Cotter. “They're so high. An undetectable amount of PFOA will grow a pancreatic tumor in a lab animal."

The International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) has been a powerful voice on the front lines, demanding urgent action and greater protection for its members.

"Cancer's been plaguing the fire service for generations, but it's at an epidemic level now and we need to do everything in our power to change that,” said Ed Kelly. General President of the IAFF.

The sobering reality is that cancer, not the flames they fight, is now the number one killer of firefighters. Their exposure to a cocktail of toxins is inherent in the job, making it crucial to control risks wherever possible, especially in the very gear they rely on.

"We've buried thousands and thousands of our brothers and sisters from job-related cancer,” said Kelly. “Our family members deserve answers. We'll go from Main Street to Wall Street to take this fight wherever we need to go."

The impact of this crisis reverberates through firefighter families nationwide. Just last year, Cindy Hrcik tragically lost her husband, Brian, a Deputy Fire Chief in Alexandria, Virginia, to pancreatic cancer.

"I want people to realize that, that these people go in and they risk their lives every day to be the light in someone's storm,” said Hrcik. We need to do the same for them."

The newly filed lawsuit marks a significant escalation in the battle for accountability. The 7News I-Team will continue to follow this critical story, bringing you the latest updates on the fight to protect those who risk everything to protect their communities.