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Firefighters' Gear May Be Killing Them | Fort Wayne News
Firefighters’ lifesaving gear may be silently poisoning them—thanks to PFAS, “forever chemicals” in turnout coats linked to cancer, now the top cause of firefighter deaths. Despite a 2018 investigation and a 2023 survey showing most departments still use contaminated gear, budget constraints and outdated science claims stall change. A growing lawsuit targets manufacturers, while unions urge minimal gear use unless absolutely necessary. Some departments, like Fort Wayne’s, are taking steps: ditching PFAS foams, providing dual gear sets, industrial washers, and annual blood tests. The race is…
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