A simple wipe test detected per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on every set of firefighter gear examined, including breathing masks, according to new research from the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The non-destructive method offers fire departments a practical way to identify and reduce exposure to PFAS, chemicals linked to increased cancer risk that can persist on gear long after fires are extinguished.
Published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, the study used damp polypropylene wipes to sample high-contact areas of turnout gear and self-contained breathing apparatus masks, then analyzed the extracts with advanced mass spectrometry. PFAS, heat-resistant compounds used in foams and coatings, do not break down easily and can remain on textiles and equipment.
Researchers found PFAS on every gear set tested, with concentrations reaching hundreds of nanograms per gram. Traces were detected inside breathing masks, where firefighters expect clean air. The study also examined how surface contamination could translate into internal exposure and concluded that even trace amounts on equipment can accumulate to meaningful exposure over a career.
Previous research cited by the authors has linked a distinct glioma mutational signature to occupational exposure to haloalkanes, underscoring concerns about chemical exposures and cancer risk in the fire service. Cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths among firefighters.
The wipe test can guide operational decisions such as when to clean gear, how to bag and transport contaminated items, and which pieces require deep decontamination before returning to service. Because the method does not damage textiles, it can be used routinely after high-foam incidents or multi-alarm fires without sidelining equipment.
Sylvester’s Firefighter Cancer Initiative supports research, education and advocacy to reduce occupational cancer risk, offering mobile cancer screening clinics, decontamination kits and training programs in English and Spanish. The initiative also promotes policies such as Florida’s presumptive cancer law, which provides financial support for firefighters diagnosed with occupational cancers.
“A quick wipe test helps crews make smarter choices—before invisible hazards become lifelong burdens,” said Natasha Schaefer Solle, Ph.D., RN, deputy director and investigator of the Firefighter Cancer Initiative. “From gear testing to health screenings, every step moves us closer to a safer fire service,” added Erin Kobetz, Ph.D., M.P.H., director and principal investigator of the initiative.
Leave a Reply