‘Forever Chemicals’: The Greatest Risk to Firefighters’ Health
By Olivia Kiley
Science and Tech Editor
Enquête—a French television series dedicated to investigating and exposing little known facts surrounding the pressing questions that concern Canadians— has just released a documentary about the presence and dangers of ‘forever chemicals’ in the bunker gear worn by firefighters. Made to keep firemen safe in the event of a fire, these suits actually have the opposite effect. For the longest time, asphyxiation, trauma, cardiac events, and burns were the greatest risks firefighters had to encounter, but as of the 2000s, cancer became the number one cause of death. This research isn’t new, but for some reason the Montreal government has yet to take action in regard to the safety and well-being of all of its firefighters.
Before diving into the effects of these chemicals, it is important to understand how this issue arose. Back in 2017, the wife of a Boston firefighter wanted to find out if her husband’s uniform was what was causing his cancer. Therefore, she contacted the manufacturing company where she was told that there was nothing to worry about and no confirmation was given as to whether the suits were dangerous or not. After this, she sent an email to a physics professor, Graham Peaslee, of Notre Dame university in Indiana. Intrigued by this request, Peaslee used a particle accelerator to test the bunker gear and found that it contained PFAS. Not only did the uniform contain these ‘forever chemicals’, but it also had the highest levels of fluoric traces Peaslee had ever seen in his entire career. He also discovered that a lot of these chemicals escape from the bunker gear and leave toxic dust behind further contaminating fire stations.
PFAS are among the strongest and most persistent man-made chemicals ever created. They pose a serious threat to the health of anyone who comes into contact with them as they won’t ever leave the human body once absorbed. This means that extended exposure will cause a buildup of these chemicals that could eventually lead to cancer, liver damage, fertility issues, and other grave consequences.
These chemicals are not only in firefighting gear, but they are also in just about everything. From textiles to food packaging, a large portion of material goods contain small amounts of PFAS; even our drinking water is contaminated. However, the presence of ‘forever chemicals’ in firefighters’ uniforms is far greater than any household item. Some of these chemicals can even cross the blood-brain barrier, which in turn weakens its structure and allows a swarm of other chemicals, that usually aren’t able to get through, to wreak havoc in the brain.
"77 Montreal firefighters have died from work-related cancer in the past 15 years, while three have died in action."
- CBC News article“Tests show high level of 'forever chemicals' in Montreal firefighter bunker gear”
Moreover, PFAS can be absorbed through sweat, inhaled, or even ingested. So, for a firefighter who must wear their uniform for hours on end, the absorption of these chemicals is certain. This also significantly impacts Montreal firefighters as they must wear their protective gear on any call (i.e., car accidents, first responder calls, people trapped in buildings, health emergencies etc.), regardless of whether there is a fire risk, furthering their exposure. Even their regular clothes worn in the station are riddled with PFAS chemicals.
When looking to the rest of the world, we can clearly see Montreal falling behind in terms of their willingness to address this issue. Boston firefighters wash their bunker gear after every fire and numerous cities in the United States and the rest of Canada have already started looking for alternatives to PFAS. It is time for the Montreal government to make a change in order to protect the lives of those who keep our cities safe.
What can you do to help?
Montreal firefighters need YOUR help in order to have better working conditions and pay. They risk their lives for us; the least we can do is stand up for them.
All you need to do is scan the QR code or follow the link below and sign a petition to show support for those who support the community.
