The Massachusetts legislature has passed a ban on the use of toxic PFAS chemicals in firefighter gear.
If the bill becomes law, the ban on PFAS (perfluoroalkyl substances) in firefighter personal protective equipment will take effect on January 1, 2027, with new regulations for manufacturers starting next year that require labels on products containing PFAS, State House News Service reports.
The bill now requires the approval of Governor Maura Healey, who has been a critic of manufacturers who use PFAS in their products.
Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS are resistant to environmental breakdown and have been linked to liver and kidney damage, reproductive and developmental harm, and certain cancers.
The chemicals are found in various layers of firefighter gear, including the outer layer and internal moisture and thermal barriers.
