New Research Uncovers Gene Impacts of PFAS Exposure in Firefighters

Hey. Let's be real for a second.

You're out there running into fires no one else would even think about approaching. You're doing it because you care about your team, your community, your family. And when you come home, you expect to be able to live that life you fought for.

But what if that hero's life is being quietly threatened not by flame, but by something invisible? Something in your gear, your station, your daily routine something that's not just lingering in your body, but possibly changing how your genes behave?

I'm talking about PFAS those "forever chemicals" that just don't go away. And if you're a firefighter, research is now showing you're not just exposed you may be carrying levels that are high enough to disrupt your body at the deepest level: your DNA.

This isn't fear-mongering. It's waking up. And once you know, you can act.

What Are PFAS?

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances yeah, it rolls off the tongue like a tongue twister. But most of us just call 'em "forever chemicals." And for good reason. These synthetic compounds are built with super-strong carbon-fluorine bonds that make them nearly unbreakable. They don't wash away. They don't degrade. And once they're inside your body? They stay.

They're in non-stick pans, water-resistant hiking gear, stain-proof couches and yes, in firefighting gear and the foams you use on fuel fires. They were designed to protect. But now? We're starting to see the cost.

Why Firefighters?

You're exposed way more than the average person not because of anything you did, but because of what your job requires.

Think about your turnout gear. It's built to take insane heat, repel water, and block toxic smoke. Great. But many manufacturers use fluoropolymers PFAS-based materials to make that moisture barrier extra tough. That's where the protection comes in and also where the problem starts.

And then there's AFFF Aqueous Film-Forming Foam. It's been a lifesaver in fuel fires, smothering flames fast. But it's loaded with long-chain PFAS like PFOA and PFOS. Even though the military and some agencies are phasing these out, the fallout is still very much with us.

And don't forget your station. That couch you crash on after a night shift? The breakroom table? The gear you take off and leave near the kitchen? Turns out, PFAS can settle in dust like unwanted houseguests and you're breathing it in every day.

Studies, like ones from the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and NIST (2024), keep showing that firefighters have significantly higher blood levels of PFAS than the general population. And now, we're finally asking: what's that doing inside us?

Gene Changes?

Here's where things get intense and important.

Researchers at the University of Arizona's Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health recently did something powerful: they didn't just measure PFAS levels they looked at how those chemicals might be affecting gene activity in firefighters.

And what they found? PFAS appear to alter the expression of genes tied to cancer, immune function, and disease regulation. Published in Environmental Research, a respected peer-reviewed journal, this isn't a wild theory it's solid science.

Now, what does "gene expression" mean? Think of your genes like light switches. They can be turned "on" or "off" by environmental signals pollution, stress, diet, chemicals. PFAS, it seems, might be flipping switches that should stay quiet, especially ones involved in tumor suppression and inflammation.

It's not saying PFAS cause cancer. But it's showing they're messing with the body's internal wiring in a way that raises risk. Like adding static to a clean signal it doesn't take much to cause a short circuit.

Cancer Risk

You already know this truth in your gut: firefighters get cancer at higher rates. The numbers don't lie. A landmark study from Harvard's Soteriades et al. (2019) found firefighters have a 1430% higher risk of several cancers including kidney, testicular, leukemia, prostate, and lung cancers.

And now, agencies like NIOSH, IARC, and the VA officially recognize many of these cancers as presumptive conditions meaning if you're a firefighter and get diagnosed, it's assumed to be job-related. That's huge. It validates what so many of us have suspected for years.

But here's the thing: recognition hasn't fully translated into protection. Because the chemicals are still in our gear. Our stations. Our routines.

Hidden Sources

Let's talk about where else PFAS is sneaking in.

First: AFFF. Yes, the DOD says training with PFAS-based foams will stop by 2025. Good. But what about the foam residue still coating training pads, vehicles, and turnout gear from years of use? Or the groundwater near airfields? That doesn't just disappear.

And here's the twist: even newer "short-chain" PFAS replacements? They're still toxic. Still persistent. Just because they're different on paper doesn't mean they're safe.

Then there's your turnout gear. We already said fluoropolymers help keep moisture out. But a 2024 NIST study dropped a bombshell: PFAS were found in all three layers of turnout gear even the innermost thermal liner that touches your skin.

Now imagine this: you're sweating, moving, crawling through heat. The gear breaks down a little, microscopic particles break off, heat accelerates chemical release and those "forever chemicals" start migrating inward. Toward your body.

And laundering? It helps, but only up to a point. Plus, you're washing those toxins down the drain into wastewater that eventually reaches communities and water supplies.

And about that fire station ever think of it as a PFAS hotspot? Maybe not. But research from the PFPE-Exchange (2023) found high levels of PFAS in dust on sofas, kitchen counters, even break room tables. If your uniform touches that dust or worse, if you sit on it you're picking up exposure like lint on a jacket.

And those open bay doors between the apparatus floor and living space? They're not just letting in noise and cold. They're letting in contaminated air and particles. It's like leaving your back door wide open to an invisible storm.

Source	PFAS Compounds Found	Exposure Pathway	Evidence Level
AFFF Foams	PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA	Inhalation, skin contact, ingestion	High (Peer-reviewed)
Turnout Gear	Fluoropolymers, side-chain PFAS	Skin contact, sweat absorption	High (NIST 2024)
Fire Station Dust	PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, PFNA	Inhalation, hand-to-mouth	Moderate (Field studies)
Gear Storage Rooms	High concentrations	Dermal, secondary contamination	Moderate
Drinking Water	PFOA, PFOS, GenX	Ingestion	Increasing concern (EPA 2024)

What's Changing?

Good news? Things are moving slowly, but they're moving.

Fluorine-Free Foams (F3) are real, and they're getting better. Some airports and fire departments especially in California and Washington are already switching over. And legislation like California SB 1044 (2022) requires manufacturers to disclose PFAS in PPE. That's transparency. That's power.

What about gear? That's the tougher nut. The NFPA 1971 standard currently demands that moisture barriers resist UV degradation and right now, only fluoropolymers fully meet that. But unions like the IAFF and groups like Metro Chiefs are pushing hard to revise that standard and fast-track safer alternatives.

And policy-wise? The Firefighter Cancer Registry Act (2018) is collecting critical national data. The VA is reviewing presumptive service connections for more cancers which could mean better benefits for vets.

Action Steps

So what can you do today? Because waiting for change isn't enough.

First: Wash your hands. I know, sounds simple. But do it before you eat, touch your face, or head home. Gear residue and contaminated dust don't care how tough you are they'll get through.

Keep bay doors closed. Clean gear storage areas. Wipe down cab interiors NIOSH recommends it. And follow NFPA 1851 for laundry: keep turnout gear separate. No tossing your bunker pants in the home wash with the kids' soccer jerseys.

Testing Options

Should you get tested for PFAS?

Right now, the VA doesn't offer routine PFAS blood testing though they're evaluating it. Commercial labs do offer it, but here's the catch: the test can show your levels, but it can't tell you where they came from, or whether you'll get sick. And unless your number is sky-high, doctors don't have a clear treatment path.

Still, for some, it brings clarity. Maybe peace of mind. Talk to your doctor especially if you're a veteran with health concerns. Your story matters.

Speak Up

Here's the most powerful thing you can do: use your voice.

Ask your department to request PFAS disclosures from gear and foam suppliers. Push for pilot programs with F3 foams. Start logging your exposures it helps build the data we need. And consider joining biomonitoring efforts like Michigan's PFOMS, which is tracking firefighters' chemical levels over time.

And hey don't underestimate the power of asking your chief one simple question: "Do we know if our gear contains PFAS?"

Final Thoughts

Look, I get it. Firefighting isn't a job. It's a calling. You don't wear the badge for the glory. You do it because someone has to.

But that calling shouldn't come with a hidden price tag written in your DNA.

We're finally seeing the science catch up to what firefighters have been saying for years: something in our gear and our jobs is making us sick. And now we have deeper proof that PFAS isn't just sitting in our blood. It may be whispering to our genes, nudging them toward disease.

That's heavy. But it's also empowering. Because knowledge? That's the first step to change.

Change is coming safer foams, cleaner gear, smarter standards. But it won't wait for us. It needs people like you to demand it, from the station floor to the statehouse.

In the meantime, protect yourself. Wash up. Store gear smart. Keep the living quarters clean.

And remember: your health isn't just personal. It's professional. It's legacy.

Because the gear you trust? It should protect you not betray you.

What are you doing in your department to reduce PFAS exposure? I'd love to hear your story. And if you've got questions? Reach out. We're in this together.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.