Firefighters suit up expecting protection, but researchers have found cancer-linked chemicals hiding in plain sight on the very equipment meant to keep them safe. A wipe test validated by University of Miami scientists detected PFAS contamination on every single set of turnout gear examined, including inside breathing masks where crews expect only filtered air.
The study, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, offers fire departments a practical tool to track these persistent compounds. Researchers used dampened polypropylene wipes on high-contact areas of 12 complete gear sets, then analyzed samples with mass spectrometry. The method works without damaging expensive protective textiles, making it suitable for routine monitoring.
PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, resist heat and degradation, which explains their use in firefighting foams and coatings. These same properties mean the chemicals accumulate rather than break down. Mean PFAS concentrations on protective clothing reached 62.4 nanograms per gram, with contamination persisting long after fires are extinguished.
From Surface Residue to Bloodstream
The compound 6:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate dominated samples, reflecting its prevalence in modern firefighting foams that replaced older formulations. Even self-contained breathing apparatus masks carried contamination levels up to 63 nanograms per gram. Think of checking hands for soot after a fire, except this residue remains invisible and chemically stable.
“Think of it as turning on a blacklight in a dark room. Suddenly, you see what’s been hiding all along,” Alberto Caban-Martinez explains.
The research team went beyond surface detection. Using a toxicokinetic model, they estimated how contact with contaminated fabric translates into internal exposure over a typical 10 to 15 year career. Dermal contact emerged as the primary pathway, meaning repeated handling of gear quietly accumulates chemical burden in firefighters’ bodies. Inhalation contributed additional exposure, particularly from contaminated breathing equipment.
These trace amounts matter because PFAS do not clear from human systems readily. The study found that even low-level surface contamination can produce meaningful internal exposure when compounded across thousands of incidents and training exercises.
A Tool That Changes Firehouse Practice
The non-invasive testing method lets departments make informed decisions about gear handling, transport, and decontamination timing. Crews can identify contamination hotspots before chemicals migrate to station living spaces or get transferred home on uniforms. The test complements blood monitoring but provides immediate, actionable results without medical procedures.
This work stems from the Sylvester Firefighter Cancer Initiative, which addresses cancer as the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths. Beyond gear testing, the program provides mobile screening clinics and decontamination training. The wipe test fits into a broader strategy of reducing occupational exposure through practical interventions that departments can implement without major equipment changes.
By revealing what has been riding along invisibly, the research gives firefighters concrete information to act on. Fire departments now have a straightforward method to track chemical contamination, guide cleaning protocols, and reduce the long-term health risks from equipment designed to protect them from flames but not from persistent chemical residues.
Journal of Hazardous Materials: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140633