QUINCY (WGEM) – On Jan. 1, Illinois House Bill 2409 goes into effect, meaning manufacturers selling firefighter gear will be required to state that the gear contains intentionally added PFAS.

By Jan. 1, 2027, it will become illegal to intentionally add PFAS to gear.

PFAS is a variety of man-made chemicals. It is currently used in most firefighter gear to protect firefighters from heat and water, but it also raises their risk for cancer.

Quincy Fire Department (QFD) firefighter, Zach Vahlkamp, said firefighters already have a high risk of cancer because of the chemicals they may breathe in during a fire, so he hopes phasing out PFAS in their gear will lower their exposure to dangerous chemicals.

“Firefighter risk for cancer is about 9% higher than the general public,” Vahlkamp said. “So getting rid of this PFAS helps reduce our risk of cancer just because every time we put on our gear it’s just exposing us more to it. This month alone, we’ve already had six structure fires and we wear our gear for car wrecks and then especially in the colder months we’re always having it on just to stay warm.”

Vahlkamp said PFAS free gear is still in the testing phase, but there are some options currently available. However, he said those options are limited and are expensive.

Once PFAS is eventually phased out, he said he hopes it lowers firefighter cancer risk and helps them do their job safely.

Currently, Vahlkamp said QFD firefighters wash their gear and shower immediately after fires to try and reduce their cancer risk and keep themselves healthy.

As of right now, Vahlkamp said QFD will not be getting new gear.

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