Does Firefighter Gear Release More PFAS as It Wears Out? What 2026 NIST Research Shows

New research from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) finds that everyday wear and tear on firefighter turnout gear, including hoods, gloves, and wildland clothing, can change how much PFAS is measurable on and in the fabric. For firefighters, their families, and departments managing gear replacement schedules, the findings raise fresh questions about exposure and when equipment should be retired.

What Did NIST Actually Find?

According to NIST, researchers tested protective clothing used by firefighters, items known to often contain PFAS ("forever chemicals") for water, oil, and heat resistance, before and after simulated wear and laundering. The agency reports that abrasion, washing, and general aging altered the measurable PFAS levels detected on gear surfaces and within fabric layers. In some cases, wear appeared to increase the amount of PFAS available at the surface, where it could contact skin or be inhaled as dust; in other cases, levels shifted downward, suggesting the chemicals migrate or break down unevenly as materials degrade.

NIST scientists say this variability makes it harder to predict PFAS exposure risk from a single "snapshot" test of new gear. A hood or glove that measures low for PFAS when purchased may not reflect what happens after months or years of fires, cleanings, and physical stress on the job.

Who Is Affected by This Finding?

The research is most directly relevant to.

• Active-duty firefighters, including structural and wildland crews, who wear turnout gear, hoods, and gloves for extended periods, often in hot and physically demanding conditions.
• Fire departments and safety officers responsible for gear procurement, inspection, and replacement schedules.
• Firefighters' families, since PFAS residue on gear can potentially transfer to skin, vehicles, and home laundry.
• Gear manufacturers, who may need to reconsider how PFAS-containing treatments are applied and how they hold up under real-world wear.

NIST notes that firefighters already face elevated occupational exposure to PFAS from firefighting foams and combustion byproducts, so understanding how gear itself contributes is part of a broader exposure picture.

Why Does This Matter for Health and Safety?

PFAS chemicals are associated with a range of health concerns in scientific studies, including links to certain cancers, thyroid disruption, immune system effects, and elevated cholesterol. These are associations observed in research populations, not proof that any individual's health condition was caused by gear exposure. Firefighting itself involves many combined hazards, smoke, combustion chemicals, heat stress, so isolating the specific contribution of gear-related PFAS is complex.

What makes this NIST research notable is the finding that PFAS behavior in gear isn't static. If wear and laundering can increase measurable PFAS at the surface of a hood or glove, that could mean a piece of equipment becomes more of an exposure concern over its service life, even if it tested low when new. Conversely, some PFAS may leach out with repeated washing, potentially lowering, but not eliminating, the amount present.

This matters because current gear testing and certification largely happens on new equipment. If real-world degradation changes exposure potential, safety standards and replacement guidance may need updating to reflect how gear performs after months or years of actual use.

What Should Firefighters and Departments Do Now?

NIST's findings are early-stage research rather than a new regulation, so there's no single mandated action yet. Still, several practical steps can help reduce potential exposure while the science develops.

• Follow manufacturer and NFPA cleaning guidance for turnout gear, hoods, and gloves rather than improvising laundering methods.
• Inspect gear regularly for visible wear, and don't assume older equipment carries the same chemical profile as when it was issued.
• Store and transport gear separately from living quarters and personal vehicles when possible, to limit take-home exposure to residue.
• Wash hands and skin after handling worn or damaged gear, and change out of soiled clothing promptly after incidents.
• Ask department leadership whether newer PFAS-reduced or PFAS-free gear options are available as replacement decisions come up.

Households concerned about broader PFAS exposure, from water, cookware, or consumer products, can compare product and water testing options using a tool like our PFAS product and water testing finder. For readers who want to understand how PFAS testing and measurement actually works, including why results can vary between labs and test conditions, our testing methodology guide breaks down the process in plain language.

Bottom Line

NIST's research shows that PFAS levels in firefighter protective gear are not fixed, they change as hoods, gloves, and wildland clothing wear down through use and washing. This doesn't mean current gear should be considered unsafe, but it does mean gear that once tested with lower PFAS concern may not stay that way indefinitely. Departments and firefighters should stay alert to updated guidance from NIST, NFPA, and manufacturers as this research matures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this mean my firefighter gear is unsafe?

Not necessarily. NIST's findings show measurable PFAS levels change with wear, but this is a measurement and materials-science finding, not a determination that specific gear poses a defined health risk. Gear that has been well-maintained and follows current safety standards can generally be considered lower concern, though no PFAS-treated item can be called completely free of exposure potential.

Should departments replace gear more often because of this?

NIST has not issued a formal replacement mandate based on this study. However, the findings support existing best practices of regularly inspecting and retiring visibly worn gear, and departments may want to monitor for updated guidance from NFPA and gear manufacturers.

Can washing gear at home remove PFAS?

Home laundering is not recommended for turnout gear and may not reliably reduce PFAS; NIST's research suggests washing can actually redistribute PFAS within fabric rather than simply removing it. Departments should follow manufacturer-approved cleaning protocols, typically through certified independent service providers.