General 4 — Freedom to Choose: PFAS-Free PPE

With a Community Grant from the Toxics Use Reduction Institute at UMASS Lowell, the Nantucket PFAS Action Group partnered with Dr. Courtney Carignan of Michigan State University to work with firefighters to study the impacts of PFAS replacement turnout gear and educate firefighters about PFAS and safer alternatives.

Learn more about the study and get informational resources below.

Photo Gallery

In March 2022, firefighters from Nantucket, Fall River, and Hyannis gathered at the Nantucket Fire Station to participate in the Firefighter Turnout Gear PFAS Study. Participants provided samples to Dr. Carignan before and after training drills which are currently being analyzed.

Fact Sheets

Download the PDF of the fact sheets HERE.

Science of PFAS Conference

Watch Dr. Courtney Carignan and the PFAS Action Group present Contamination in Coats: PFAS Concerns in the Fire Service at the NEWMOA Science of PFAS Conference in April 2022.

News About the Project

6/23/23 - Inquirer & Mirror - Local firefighters, PFAS Action Group honored at State House

6/6/23: WBUR - Mass. firefighters and their families are at the front lines of a battle with ‘forever chemicals’

5/26/23 - Nantucket Current - Nantucket residents honored for PFAS advocacy

5/23/23 - Fall River Reporter - Fall River and Nantucket firefighters among those being honored for their work against toxic chemicals

4/11/22: The Herald News - Can PFAS in firefighter gear cause cancer? Fall River and Nantucket team up for science

4/8/22: Cape Cod Times - Hyannis Fire joins Fall River and Nantucket in PFAS study

4/3/22: NPR Cape, Coast & Islands - Local firefighters fear their gear is poisoning them. Now they’re team up to find out

3/31/22: Inquirer & Mirror - Study gauges impact of PFAS in firefighters’ turnout gear

3/29/22: Nantucket Current - Island firefighters embark on pioneering PFAS study

3/28/22: Inquirer & Mirror - Firefighters embark on PFAS turnout gear study

Project Awards

2023

Massachusetts House of Representatives citation in recognition of ‘raising awareness of fire service PFAS use and working to promote safer alternatives.’

Massachusetts Senate citation in recognition of ‘national leadership in educating and raising awareness around PFAS use in firefighter turnout gear, and in working to promote the use of safer alternatives.’

2023 Champion of Toxics Use Reduction from Toxics Use Reduction Institute

2023 John O’Connor Grassroots Leadership Award from Clean Water Action MA

2022

Massachusetts House of Representatives citation in recognition of ‘nation-leading work to address PFAS contamination in firefighters’ gear.’

This project was funded by a community grant from the Toxics Use Reduction Institute.

Learn More