Bipartisan bill to ban forever chemicals in firefighter foam unanimously passes House committee, would come with cost
A bipartisan push to ban harmful forever chemicals in firefighter foam is showing promise in the state House, but the costs to fully ban the chemicals would be steep.
Cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty death for firefighters, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters.
House Bill 1261, proposed by Reps. Brian Munroe, D-144th, and Zachary Mako, D-183rd, would ban the manufacture and sale of firefighter foams containing the cancer-causing agents by July 1, 2026, and ban their use by Jan. 1, 2027.
The bill unanimously passed the Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee last week, bringing Pennsylvania a step closer to joining 15 states and the U.S. Department of Defense in banning the chemicals in foam.
In addition to firefighter gear, PFAS, or forever chemicals such as polyfluoroalkyl, are found in everyday items such as personal care products and nonstick coatings. They do not break down in the environment and are linked to kidney and liver disease, immune suppression and birth defects, among other risks.
Scott Garing, chief of the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company, said he has sent letters to local legislators supporting the ban of PFAS in firefighter foam, but removing the chemicals from all firefighter gear would require significant costs.
“There are consequences associated with it,” Garing said.
Firefighter foam creates a barrier over potential fuel sources to suffocate the fire and prevent harmful vapors from spreading, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. The PFAS in the foam, and firefighter turnout gear, create a stronger, longer-lasting barrier and are proven to be more effective than foams without PFAS. Even so, the Department of Defense in 2023 set new specifications for firefighter foams used in the military to eliminate PFAS.
Garing said it would cost millions for Butler County fire companies to replace their foam containing PFAS with a less-effective product.
Garing said firefighters are exposed to harmful chemicals almost every call and accept the risk, but most are proactive in wiping down their gear and showering within an hour of being at a fire.
“Back in the ’70s and ’80s, people loved having dirty gear,” Garing said. “Nowadays, if you have dirty gear, you’re wrong, 100%.”
Removing the chemicals from firefighter turnout gear is a different story. Garing said turnout gear costs about $5,000 per set, and gear with PFAS lasts about six years longer than gear without.
“I think there’s still a road to go for research, but it’s good the conversations are starting,” Garing said. “Unfortunately, it’s going to cost us a lot in the long run.”
According to the bill, PFAS also have been found in drinking water across the state, as they soak into the ground after deployment. The bill referenced a 2019 report where water was contaminated by the chemicals at two military bases and a private well near Pittsburgh International Airport in Moon Township, Allegheny County.
Garing said he has seen instances where the foam absorbed into the ground, but public water systems contain protections against contamination. In April 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $1 billion to help states test and treat public water systems for PFAS.
