NYC Bill Would Ban PFAS 'Forever Chemicals' in Firefighters' Gear, Set 2028 Transition Deadline

A bill introduced in the New York City Council would prohibit the use of PFAS — the so-called "forever chemicals" — in turnout gear worn by the city's roughly 11,000 firefighters. The proposal also requires testing of firehouse water supplies and would create a voluntary program for firefighters to check PFAS levels in their blood.

Supporters say the measure would be a major step for firefighter safety. Several states have already moved to restrict PFAS in protective apparel: Massachusetts and Connecticut banned PFAS in turnout gear last year, and Illinois enacted a ban this year. The bill includes a 2028 deadline for the Fire Department to complete the transition to PFAS-free gear.

Why PFAS matter

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a family of roughly 16,000 chemicals used to make materials resist water, stains and heat. They are called "forever chemicals" because they do not readily break down and can accumulate in people and the environment. Studies link PFAS exposure to cancers, kidney and liver disease, immune system effects and birth defects.

Turnout gear — including jackets, pants, boots, gloves and other protective equipment — is often treated with PFAS to add water- and heat-resistance while maintaining breathability. PFAS can be absorbed through the skin and may migrate from textiles into the air or onto surfaces inside firehouses, increasing repeated exposure risk.

Evidence and concerns

Occupational cancer is the leading cause of death among firefighters nationwide, and repeated PFAS exposure is considered a likely contributor. The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) estimates that cancer linked to turnout gear accounted for 66% of firefighter fatalities from 2002 to 2019.

A 2020 University of Notre Dame study that analyzed 30 samples of new and used turnout gear found troubling levels of fluorine, a proxy for PFAS. Researcher Graham Peaslee reported high fluorine concentrations on the moisture barrier and outer shell — components that either sit near the skin or can shed into the station environment.

“Could some of these chemicals come off on the thermal layer and get into the skin? The answer is probably,”

Peaslee said, underscoring concerns about dermal absorption and environmental contamination within firehouses.

Support, opposition and legal context

The bill is authored by New York City Council Minority Leader Joann Ariola, a Republican from Queens, and has bipartisan backing. Ariola and union leaders say safer, PFAS-free alternatives are already available. The Uniformed Firefighters Association, which represents the majority of the city’s firefighters, has expressed support for the proposal.

At the same time, trade groups representing chemical manufacturers and turnout-gear producers have opposed bans, warning that changes could affect the protective performance of personal protective equipment. The American Chemistry Council has said restrictions might have unintended consequences for PPE designed to resist open flames and extreme hazards.

Several New York City firefighters are named in an ongoing class-action lawsuit against PFAS manufacturers and turnout-gear makers, alleging the industry knowingly exposed firefighters to hazardous chemicals. That suit is one of dozens nationwide. Regulatory momentum may be shifting: in September the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which sets standards for protective gear, updated its guidelines to allow PFAS-free turnout gear, potentially making transitions easier for departments.

If enacted, New York City's measure would be among the most prominent municipal actions to curb PFAS exposures in frontline workers and could influence other large departments to follow suit.