Read the full article by Leslie Bonilla Muñiz (Indiana Capital Chronicle).
“Indiana firefighters logged elevated levels of potentially hazardous PFAS chemicals in their blood serum, the state has found — with some connections to the frequency with which they handled firefighting foam, protective gear and specialized emergency responses.
PFAS is an abbreviation for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They have water, oil and heat-resistant properties but have been linked to health effects including potential increased risk of cancer.
The study, conducted by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and external diagnostic laboratory Eurofins Scientific, was authorized in House Enrolled Act 1219 from 2023. The results were prepared by consultant Delineate and released last week, although the report is dated November.
‘These findings confirm what firefighters and their families have been raising alarms about for years,’ said the law’s author, Rep. Maureen Bauer, in a news release. ‘PFAS exposure is not isolated. It is systemic, occupational, and statewide. Because of (House Enrolled Act) 1219, we now have real data instead of unanswered questions.'”…