"Firefighters attempting to uncover the truth about carcinogens in their protective clothing are confronted with the same playbook chemical companies have used for decades: twisting science to deny and downplay the dangers of their products.

Take, for example, when Nantucket, Mass., Fire Capt. Sean Mitchell wanted to buy new protective equipment for his department this summer.

Mitchell had learned that all protective firefighting clothing made prior to 2015 was produced using a carcinogenic compound called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and sought gear that didn't contain cancer-causing chemicals.

Roughly half of the department's 28 firefighters wore the older gear daily — including Capt. Nate Barber, who had recently been diagnosed with testicular cancer at age 38."

Ariel Wittenberg reports for E&E News February 17, 2021. [2]

SEE ALSO:

Part One: "Firefighters' Catch-22: Protective Gear Full Of Carcinogens" (E&E News) [3]