Fire departments concerned about cancer risks are buying gear that is free of forever chemicals

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Firefighter Brendan Dyer suits up in recently issued non-PFAS turnout gear at Fire Station 4 in East Providence, R.I., on July 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Every time he rushed out on a fire call, East Providence Lt. Thomas Votta knew he put himself at risk for cancer. There are potential carcinogens in the smoke billowing out of a house fire, but also risks from wearing his chemically-treated gear .

Last month, the Rhode Island fire department became the nation's first to give the 11-year veteran and all his 124 fellow firefighters new gear free of PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Known as forever chemicals because of how long they remain in the environment, PFAS have