New Hanover County Fire Rescue’s new PFAS-free gear reduces risk to firefighter

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — New Hanover County Fire Rescue received new turnout gear this week that’s completely PFAS free. 

PFAS chemicals have been linked to thyroid issues and some forms of cancer. 

For decades, PFAS has been used extensively in firefighting equipment for its flame retardant properties.  

More recently, manufacturers have looked to PFAS alternatives.

“This is a game changer for us because now we can offer our firefighters protection without offering them an additional exposure risk,” Health and Safety Officer Blake Turner said. 

Turner noted that many of the department’s firefighters participated in a nationwide study back in July that looked at the level of PFAS compounds in firefighter’s blood. 

“We know we’re exposed to multiple different risks and PFAS being one of those, and that’s something we’ve really started tracking the last several years with Duke University and North Carolina State University,” Turner said. 

The results of that study have still not been published, though researchers agree that a reduction in PFAS exposure can greatly reduce the likelihood of cancer. 

Clyde Prince has been with New Hanover County Fire Rescue for eight years. He said the new gear gives him peace of mind. 

“It feels good knowing that our gear is carcinogen and PFAS free. We’ve been wearing out turnout gear to calls for umpteenth years now, so it feels good knowing that the county feels good enough about us to invest in gear that is PFAS free.” 

The new turnout gear is already available to all responding firefighters.