By Bob Katzen

The House and Senate approved and sent to Gov. Healey a measure that would require a manufacturer or person that sells Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment to any person or government agency, to provide, beginning January 1, 2025, written notice to the buyer, at the time of sale, if the equipment contains toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance chemicals, known as PFAS. The seller would also have to provide the reason the chemicals were added to the equipment. Beginning on January 1, 2027, the bill prohibits any person from manufacturing, knowingly selling or distributing any equipment containing intentionally added PFAS chemicals.

“My office originally filed this bill in 2019 in collaboration with The Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts (PFFM) and Clean Water Action,” said lead sponsor Rep. Jim Hawkins (D-Attleboro). “With each legislative session, we refiled, improved upon the language and aided in the unwavering dedication of PFFM as they advocated tirelessly for their members … Despite improvements in cancer care, our firefighters are still becoming sick and dying from occupational cancers at a rate more than twice the general population. It is our duty to protect those who protect us. I am proud to have played a part in this momentous passing.”

“Ask anyone how the majority of firefighter line-of-duty deaths occur — most will probably guess smoke inhalation or on-call injury,” said Sen. Mike Moore (D-Millbury). “The shocking truth is that, from 2002 to 2019, cancer accounted for 66 percent of firefighter deaths, according to the International Association of Firefighters. PFAS exposure from firefighting equipment is a crisis for firefighters and the communities they serve.”

“This is great news,” said Deirdre Cummings, MASSPIRG’s Legislative director. “Firefighters put their lives on the line to protect us in an emergency, and we must make sure the gear they wear will protect them.”