PFAS Firefighter Gear Lawsuit

Firefighter turnout gear, sometimes called bunker gear, is the protective clothing that firefighters wear to shield themselves when battling a fire. It is composed of three layers, including an outer shell to repel water, a moisture barrier and a thermal liner.

Turnout gear may contain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These manufactured chemicals have been used in consumer products like nonstick cookware for decades, in part due to their repellent properties.

PFAS are often used in firefighter gear to repel oil and water, as well as to protect against heat. However, research indicates that exposure to PFAS may be connected to the development of cancer and other serious health problems. While some states and distributors are aiming to remove forever chemicals from turnout gear, many firefighters still use equipment that may contain PFAS.

Several types of PFAS lawsuits are being filed over these claims, including turnout gear lawsuits.

PFAS firefighter gear lawsuits focus on claims that PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, are used in turnout gear and have caused firefighters to develop serious health conditions.

One common forever chemical that has been linked to health issues like cancer is PFOA. The Environmental Protection Agency determined that the amount of PFOA in drinking water shouldn’t exceed four parts per trillion for safety.

While the same restrictions don’t exist for clothing, a lawsuit filed by numerous firefighter organizations stated the amount of PFOA in the outer layer of tested turnout gear was 182,000 parts per trillion. The thermal liner contained 78,000 parts per trillion.

Firefighters who developed health conditions after using turnout gear are seeking compensation from the companies that manufactured the chemicals included in the gear’s protective layers.

Studies: Turnout Gear Is a Significant Source of PFAS

Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found that turnout gear can expose firefighters to PFAS, which may be linked to serious health issues like cancer. All three gear parts — the outer layer, moisture barrier and thermal lining — can contain PFAS. As the gear ages or wears out, these chemicals can transfer to the firefighter, increasing their risk.

You might be eligible to file a PFAS firefighter gear lawsuit if you or a loved one used turnout gear and developed cancer or other serious health conditions tied to forever chemicals.

Some cancers that have been connected to PFAS include liver, kidney, testicular and thyroid. Ulcerative colitis, which is a type of inflammatory bowel disease, has also been tied to these chemicals.

If you worked as a firefighter, paramedic or first responder, turnout gear isn’t the sole source of PFAS exposure you may have had. Aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a type of firefighting foam that contains PFAS, was used for decades at fire stations, airports and military bases.

People are now filing AFFF lawsuits over claims that they developed these serious health issues after being exposed to the foam.

Exposure can occur through skin contact or contaminated drinking water. Some cases allege that AFFF seeped into groundwater and drinking water supplies, leading to water contamination lawsuits.

PFAS Lawsuit Deadline: The Statute of Limitations

The statute of limitations sets a strict deadline for filing a PFAS lawsuit, which can be as short as one year in some states. If you miss this deadline, your case can be dismissed, no matter how severe your injuries are.

Usually, the countdown starts when the PFAS exposure or related harm occurs. However, under the discovery rule, the clock may not begin until you discover — or reasonably could have found — that PFAS caused your illness. This rule helps protect people who may not realize the link right away.

PFAS health effects are wide-ranging, with research tying several types of cancer to the chemicals. Multiple studies have linked PFAS exposure to cancers and other health conditions.

Firefighters may be around PFAS almost every day, potentially increasing their risk of severe health issues.

In 2023, a Harvard-backed study found that PFAS exposure is associated with higher blood lipid levels, which can adversely impact cholesterol levels. According to a 2020 study, people who are exposed to PFOA can develop and die from kidney cancer at higher rates than the average person.

Firefighters often encounter PFAS while on the job. Studies have found that firefighters typically have higher levels of these chemicals in their blood than the average person. This suggests that their work environment and protective gear could be significant sources of this exposure.

These multiple exposure pathways mean firefighters face ongoing contact with PFAS both during firefighting and at their fire station. Over time, this continual exposure may contribute to elevated PFAS levels in their bodies and increase their long-term risk of developing cancer and other health issues.

Gear Standards and Performance

The National Fire Prevention Association introduced new rules for PFAS in firefighter gear in its NFPA 1970 standard, introduced in late 2024. This new standard combines several older ones and now includes everything from uniforms and gloves to helmets, boots, hoods and breathing equipment, all under a single set of guidelines.

One significant change for 2025 is the introduction of specific rules about PFAS, often used in gear to make it resistant to water and oil. Manufacturers can now earn a “Non-PFAS” label if their gear contains low levels of these chemicals, which is a key move to help lessen firefighters’ exposure. Fluorine levels must be below 100 parts per million.

Cleaning and Decontamination Best Practices

Proper cleaning and care of firefighter gear are essential to reduce chemical exposure and extend gear lifespan. Following these seven steps helps remove harmful contaminants like soot and PFAS, keeping firefighters safer and their protective equipment in top condition. Step one should always be done, and the full steps should be done at least twice a year.

The PFAS firefighter gear lawsuits focus on companies that manufactured the possibly hazardous chemicals used in the gear.

One key defendant is multinational conglomerate 3M, which has faced litigation across the country over its decades of industry-leading PFAS chemical manufacturing.

According to a lawsuit filed on behalf of firefighters affected by turnout gear, 3M knew as early as the 1960s that PFAS is toxic and does not break down in the environment. It was more than 30 years before 3M shared these concerns with regulatory agencies.

DuPont is also a main defendant in the litigation after manufacturing PFAS for decades. Similar to 3M, lawsuits claim that the company was aware of the potentially harmful health effects of PFAS for decades, yet continued to manufacture the chemicals.

“Defendants knew or should have known that turnout gear containing PFAS was extremely dangerous to firefighters,” one lawsuit states. “It placed them at increased risk of adverse, substantial, and potentially lethal health effects, including but not limited to various cancers.”

Since the mid-20th century, PFAS chemicals have been widely used in firefighter turnout gear to provide water and heat resistance. Over time, mounting scientific and regulatory attention has linked PFAS exposure in firefighters to increased risk of cancer and other serious health conditions, prompting calls for PFAS-free alternatives.

Since the 1960s, mounting scientific evidence has shown that PFAS in turnout gear is a serious exposure risk for firefighters and is increasingly associated with severe, chronic health issues.

While it’s too early to know exactly how much turnout gear settlements may be worth, firefighters who have filed lawsuits may seek various types of compensation. This can include monetary damages for the injury suffered, financial losses and medical costs. Settlement amounts for these types of cases are often related to the length of occupational exposure and the severity of the injury, such as a serious form of cancer.

If a case were to go to trial, the possible damages would likely be divided into compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages are meant to compensate you for your losses, while punitive damages are additional money intended to punish the defendant in the lawsuit.

Some firefighter gear lawsuits are also pushing for the defendants to pay for medical monitoring and early cancer detection testing for people who may have been impacted.

Firefighter gear lawsuits remain active, with more cases continuing to be filed.

Firefighter gear lawsuits are also advancing outside of the MDL. Here are some of the latest updates relating to these cases.

To help strengthen your case, you’ll need to document your PFAS exposure history and your diagnosis. An attorney can help you gather evidence, but having as much documentation as possible up front can help your lawyer determine if you have a strong case. You can start by recording your employment history as a firefighter, taking photos of gear that may contain PFAS and any relevant training logs or receipts.

You’ll also want to document lost wages and medical bills.