California Bill Removing Cancerous Chemicals from Firefighter Uniforms Passes out of the Legislature and Heads to Governor Newsom’s Desk

SACRAMENTO, CA - Assemblymember Matt Haney ‘s (D-San Francisco) AB 1181 which protects California firefighters from known cancer-causing chemicals called per-fluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — by banning them from firefighting equipment passes out of the California State Legislature and now heads to Governor Newsom’s desk. The bill passed out of the California Legislature with strong bipartisan support, where it passed out of the California State Senate with unanimous support and the Assembly with a final 79 to 0 vote.

“Twenty years ago heart disease was the biggest threat to firefighter health. Today, cancer has replaced heart disease as the biggest killer of firefighters.” said Assemblymember Matt Haney. “Firefighters put their lives at risk every day on the front lines saving lives, responding to emergencies and taking care of the vulnerable. We have an obligation to ensure they are not exposed to cancer-causing chemicals from the very equipment designed to keep them safe.

“Firefighters shouldn’t have to choose between protection from fire and exposure to cancer-causing chemicals. AB 1181 builds on what we've learned about the dangers of PFAS and takes another crucial step toward eliminating these toxic substances from our gear and our firehouses. This bill is about protecting the health and future of every firefighter in California,” said Brian K. Rice, President of California Professional Firefighters.

“San Francisco Firefighters Local 798 supports AB 1181 because the health and safety of our members cannot wait. For too long, the gear meant to protect us has contained cancer-causing PFAS chemicals that threaten our health. We appreciate the leadership of Assemblymember Haney in working to eliminate these toxic threats once and for all.” said Alec Kauf, President of San Francisco Firefighters, Local 798

AB 1181 will ensure that California’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards (CAL OSHA) board creates an implementation timeline that develops and creates a standard utilizing scientific research to ban cancer causing chemicals from being used in firefighter turnout gear by 2028.