The Fight Against PFAS/PFOS in the Fire Service & Beyond

We fight fire, we fight HAZMAT, we rescue the ill and injured. And we don’t think twice about doing so. This is who we are and what we do. However, imagine that your enemy is unseen, yet deadly. You have no way to protect yourself, not your gear, or SCBA! What do you do?

That is part of question raised by attorney Robert Bilott. If you saw the recent movie, “Dark Waters,” actor Mark Ruffalo portrayed Mr. Bilott and you saw how this attorney filed a multi-million lawsuit against a major chemical manufacturer and won! The chemicals he fought against are most easily referenced as PFAS/PFOS.

This podcast is not a chemistry class. However, you will hear Mr. Bilott explain how these “forever chemicals,” (as they are man-made and will not break down, even after millions of years) are poisoning firefighters, as the chemicals are in our bunker gear since 1977, as well as in everything from stain-resistant carpets, non-stick cookware, etc. And he has recently filed a federal request for class-action status to allow every firefighter since 1977 and, every resident in this country since 1977, so they can join as plaintiffs in this major lawsuit.

You and everyone you care about should listen to this podcast.

So, tune in on your favorite podcast platform or visit us at www.5-alarmtaskforcecorp.org

Photo Courtesy NIH