{"id":2325414,"date":"2024-08-15T22:05:57","date_gmt":"2024-08-16T02:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/massachusetts-governor-signs-law-phasing-out-toxic-pfas-in-firefighters-gear\/"},"modified":"2024-08-15T22:09:15","modified_gmt":"2024-08-16T02:09:15","slug":"massachusetts-governor-signs-law-phasing-out-toxic-pfas-in-firefighters-gear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/massachusetts-governor-signs-law-phasing-out-toxic-pfas-in-firefighters-gear\/","title":{"rendered":"Massachusetts Governor Signs Law Phasing Out Toxic PFAS in Firefighters&#8217; Gear"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmassachusetts-governor-signs-law-phasing-out-toxic-pfas-in-firefighters-gear%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2325414&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>On \u200bThursday, Massachusetts Governor Maura \u2063Healey \u200csigned a \u200dlaw \u200baimed at phasing out the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), hazardous chemicals in firefighters\u2019 protective\u200b gear. These &#8220;forever chemicals&#8221;\u2063 are known to\u2062 be linked to various health \u200cissues, including\u200c several types\u2064 of cancer. Under the new \u200cregulation, \u2063starting January 2025, manufacturers must \u2063notify\u2064 purchasers if their firefighting equipment contains PFAS, and by 2027, the sale of gear knowingly containing these chemicals will be prohibited. The law is viewed as a critical \u2062step to enhance \u2062firefighters&#8217; health and safety, particularly in light of the \u2064rising cancer\u2062 risks associated with\u2063 their profession. Advocates emphasize that further actions are necessary to reduce PFAS exposure across a broader range of \u200cproducts and industries.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section>\n<p>Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed into law Thursday a bill that would phase out the use of PFAS, a group of toxic industrial compounds, in firefighters&rsquo; protective gear.<\/p>\n<p>The chemicals &mdash; associated with health problems including several types of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/new-research-shows-cancer-patients-may-need-less-of-these-types-of-treatment-for-better-results\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cancer<\/a>, such as breast, kidney and testicular cancer &mdash; are used in gear to repel water and other substances when fighting a fire. Connecticut is the only other state with a similar law regarding firefighters&rsquo; protective gear.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s one thing to run into a fire, you can see the blaze and feel the heat,&rdquo; Healey said moments before signing the bill at the statehouse. But it&rsquo;s another thing, she said, to face the threat of &ldquo;forever chemicals&rdquo; &mdash; a silent killer that has been threatening the health of firefighters and others for years.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;These dangerous, dangerous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/emergency-crews-respond-fiery-train-derailment-spilling-toxic-chemicals-nearby-river\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">chemicals<\/a>. They&rsquo;re in too much of our stuff, but certainly we know they&rsquo;ve been in protective gear. The devastating impacts are so clear,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;Today Massachusetts is putting the health and safety of our firefighters first.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Starting January 2025, under the new law, manufacturers and sellers of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/white-house-releases-list-of-president-trumps-accomplishments-and-it-is-historic\/\" title=\"White House Releases List of President Trump\u2019s Accomplishments \u2013  And It Is Historic!\">personal protective equipment<\/a> containing PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, will be required to provide written notice to the purchaser at the time of sale that firefighting equipment contains PFAS chemicals. They&rsquo;re also mandated to provide a reason for why the equipment contains PFAS.<\/p>\n<p>  <script> \t\t\t\tif( ! getCookie( 'ff_subbed' ) ) if( typeof FFADS.replace_ict !='undefined' ) if( FFADS.replace_ict ) eval( FFADS.replace_ict ); \t\t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>Beginning in 2027, manufacturers and sellers of personal protective equipment for firefighters will be prohibited from knowingly selling gear containing &ldquo;intentionally-added PFAS&rdquo; chemicals &mdash; referring to PFAS chemicals or products that break down into PFAS chemicals that are added to the product during manufacturing.<\/p>\n<p>The multilayered coats and pants worn by firefighters have become the latest battleground over PFAS, which are found in everything from food packaging to clothing. In 2023, the Environmental for the first time proposed limits on the chemicals in drinking water.<\/p>\n<p>Richard MacKinnon, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, said the new law will help curb occupational cancer.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is the strongest language in our nation,&rdquo; he said of the new state law. &ldquo;This next generation of firefighters &mdash; their lives will be saved.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The International Association of Fire Fighters has said that cancer has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/firefighters-fear-the-toxic-chemicals-in-their-gear-could-be-contributing-to-rising-cancer-cases\/\" title=\"Firefighters worry that the chemicals in their gear may be causing more cancer cases.\">replaced heart disease<\/a> as the biggest cause of line-of-duty deaths. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/trump-brings-surprise-gift-nyc-firefighters-greeted-cheers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Firefighters<\/a> have been shown to be at higher risk than the general population of getting several types of cancer.<\/p>\n<p>The state needs to see the new law as a first step in a longer-term effort to limit widespread exposure to the chemicals, activists said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We have more to do to protect workers and the public from direct contact with PFAS. Next, we need to address everyday products like clothing and furniture. We all deserve <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/ap-death-toll-south-africa-gas-leak-blamed-illegal-gold-processing-risen-17\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">toxic<\/a>-free homes and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/gospel-giant-tim-keller-leaves-a-profound-legacy-worthy-of-high-praise-and-fair-critique\/\" title=\"Tim Keller, a Gospel icon, leaves a remarkable legacy open to both praise and critique.\">cancer-free lives<\/a>,&rdquo; said Clint Richmond, conservation chair of the Massachusetts Sierra Club.<\/p>\n<p>Advocates pointed to a bill left unfinished in the Legislature&rsquo;s formal session that would have banned PFAS in food packaging, children&rsquo;s products, personal care products, carpets, furniture textiles, clothing and cookware.<\/p>\n<p>The bill would have also banned industrial discharges of PFAS to water sources and set up a fund to help test and treat private wells and the public water system.<\/p>\n<p>Other states have also passed laws targeting PFAS.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-style: italic;\">The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.<\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\">  <\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> <label>* Name<\/label> <br \/> <input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> <\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> <label>* <\/label> <br \/> <input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> <\/div>\n<p> <label>* Message<\/label> <br \/> <textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea>  <\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> <input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\">  <\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! 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These substances are linked to various health issues, including multiple cancer types like breast, kidney, and testicular cancer, and are utilized in firefighting equipment to resist water and other elements during operations. Connecticut is currently the only other state with similar legislation concerning firefighters&#8217; gear. Prior to signing the bill at the statehouse, Healey remarked on the visible dangers of battling fires compared to the hidden risks posed by &#8220;forever chemicals,&#8221; which have silently jeopardized firefighters&#8217; health for years. She emphasized that these hazardous chemicals are prevalent in many products but particularly noted their presence in protective gear and their clear detrimental effects. The new law prioritizes firefighter health and safety.<\/p>\n<p>Starting January 2025, manufacturers and sellers of personal protective equipment containing PFAS will be required to inform buyers at the time of sale about its presence in firefighting gear along with an explanation for its inclusion. By 2027, it will be illegal for manufacturers and sellers to knowingly sell firefighter gear that contains &#8220;intentionally-added PFAS&#8221;\u2014referring specifically to those chemicals added during production.<\/p>\n<p>The multilayered coats and pants used by firefighters have become a focal point regarding PFAS concerns since these substances can be found in various items from food packaging to clothing. In 2023, environmental authorities proposed limits on PFAS levels in drinking water for the first time.<\/p>\n<p>Richard MacKinnon, president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, expressed optimism that this new legislation would help reduce occupational cancer rates among firefighters. He described it as having some of the strongest provisions nationwide that could save future generations of firefighters\u2019 lives.<\/p>\n<p>The International Association of Fire Fighters has indicated that cancer has overtaken heart disease as the leading cause of fatalities among active-duty personnel; studies show that firefighters face a higher risk than average individuals for several cancers.<\/p>\n<p>Activists view this law as just an initial step toward reducing widespread exposure to these harmful chemicals. Clint Richmond from Massachusetts Sierra Club stated there is more work needed to safeguard both workers and public health from direct contact with PFAS; he called for addressing everyday products such as clothing and furniture next so everyone can enjoy toxic-free environments free from cancer risks.<\/p>\n<p>Advocates also highlighted an unfinished bill within legislative sessions aimed at banning PFAS across various consumer goods including food packaging materials, children&#8217;s items, personal care products like cosmetics or toiletries; textiles used in carpets or furniture; clothing; cookware; alongside prohibiting industrial discharges into waterways while establishing funding mechanisms for testing private wells along with public water systems.<\/p>\n<p>Other states have similarly enacted laws targeting PFAS usage<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2325415,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/3e972f2e6cf140a4831f0d4b62522b49-scaled.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[38300,3907,5610,38299,32068],"class_list":["post-2325414","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-environmental-law","tag-firefighters","tag-massachusetts","tag-pfas","tag-public-health"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/3e972f2e6cf140a4831f0d4b62522b49-scaled.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2325414","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2325414"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2325414\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2325415"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2325414"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2325414"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2325414"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}