A new Florida law is phasing out PFAS, the so-called forever chemicals that studies have linked to cancer and other diseases, in an effort to protect firefighters who are exposed to them on the job.
The chemicals are often found inside fire stations and, according to firefighters, are built into the fabric of their turnout gear. Not even high-pressure washers can get them out.
Hialeah Fire Rescue trainer Eric Johnson knows the risk firsthand. He was diagnosed with colon cancer during his firefighting career. Firefighters are ordinary people who sign up for extraordinary situations, he said, but I didn't sign up to suffer from cancer.
Johnson's cancer is now in remission, but he says it came at a cost, and he can no longer go out on calls.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill last year that requires any municipality with a fire department to buy only gear that does not contain the toxic chemicals.
Starting next July, the new law will make it illegal to buy or sell PFAS. From July 2029, it will also become illegal to possess or use the chemicals, except in specific emergencies.
Some departments had already moved to get ahead of the issue, stopping the use of PFAS foam years ago. Even so, Johnson says the chemicals are still found in many firehouses.