PFAS Shedding From Firefighter Turnout Gear Laundry Wastewater

New research shows that laundering firefighter turnout gear may release PFAS into wastewater, raising concerns about long term contamination from routine cleaning

Thursday, December 11, 2025 - Firefighters rely on heavy protective coats, pants, and hoods to shield them from extreme heat and hazardous smoke, but these same lifesaving garments may be creating new environmental challenges once they reach the laundry room. Many turnout fabrics are treated with PFAS based water resistant coatings designed to keep harmful liquids from soaking through during emergencies. When this gear is washed after a fire or training exercise, some of those coatings break down and shed PFAS particles into the rinse water. For communities already watching PFAS cancer lawsuit activity and people considering contacting a PFAS drinking water attorney, the idea that protective gear might become a source of chemical pollution is deeply concerning. Fire stations and regional training facilities often operate their own high capacity washers, sending large volumes of wash water into floor drains each week. Over time, that steady flow can introduce PFAS into sewer lines, stormwater systems, and even groundwater. This possibility has led researchers to look more closely at how much chemical shedding actually occurs during cleaning and whether current laundry practices are unintentionally contributing to long term contamination. Many departments wash dozens of sets of gear every month, meaning even small releases can accumulate in meaningful ways.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS compounds used in textiles are highly resistant to heat and detergent, allowing them to survive repeated washing while still slowly breaking down into wastewater. Early testing from independent laboratories has found measurable PFAS levels in runoff collected from turnout gear laundries and fire academy wash facilities. Because this wastewater is typically discharged into standard municipal sewer systems, it moves directly to treatment plants that cannot remove synthetic fluorinated chemicals. As drinking water regulations tighten and utilities expand upstream testing, some are beginning to identify fire station laundry routes as potential contributors to localized PFAS hotspots. Research also suggests that particulate dust brushed off gear before washing may settle on floors, hoses, and equipment, eventually being rinsed into the same drainage lines. Environmental agencies are urging departments to evaluate both their protective gear inventory and their cleaning protocols to limit the amount of PFAS released during wash cycles. Some states are reviewing whether alternative PFAS free water resistant textiles can replace traditional turnout coatings, while others are examining whether pretreatment filtration systems can help capture contaminants before wastewater enters public lines.

As awareness grows, fire departments nationwide may need to take a closer look at how they balance protective performance with environmental safety. Manufacturers are beginning to explore non fluorinated coatings that provide water resistance without long lasting contamination risks. Departments may also consider updating laundry setups with carbon based filters or closed loop washing systems capable of capturing PFAS before it reaches the sewer. Facilities with older plumbing might face new expectations to monitor their discharge or reroute wash water to controlled disposal systems.

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