Read the full article by David P. Ball (British Columbia)
“Vancouver’s fire chief says some firefighters in her department will soon start to get new uniforms — ones that don’t contain a controversial group of chemicals potentially linked to high cancer rates in fire halls worldwide.
The Vancouver firefighters’ union is praising the move to phase out jackets and pants containing polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS), which unions and fire chiefs across B.C. and North America have been calling for since late 2022.
The group of chemicals, found in an inner layer of most fire-resistant gear for fire personnel, has been linked to increased cancer rates among firefighters around the world.
Karen Fry, chief of the Vancouver Fire Rescue Services (VFRS), told CBC News the City of Vancouver recently granted her request to phase in some PFAS-free gear for firefighters in the city.” …