METHODS

We will survey fire departments nationally on AFFF products and practices used for training and fire response. We will analyze the PFAS mixtures used in AFFF and turnout gear. We will measure PFAS concentrations in urine and blood before and after fireground responses. In training settings, we will separately evaluate the contributions of wearing new and used firefighter turnout ensembles and using AFFF to acute increases in urinary and blood PFAS concentrations. Acute toxicity testing of PFAS mixtures will be conducted using dilutions of AFFF products, and also PFAS mixtures modeling those found in firefighters. In vitro, acute toxicity testing will include kidney, prostate, and colon cells, given the increased cancer rates for these organs seen in firefighters. Chronic toxicity will be evaluated through a comparison of serum PFAS levels in firefighters with those in the general population and with epigenetic markers associated with cancer and other diseases.

ANTICIPATED OUTCOMES

We expect that firefighters will have increased blood and/or urine PFAS levels after firefighting and also after the use of AFFF, and we anticipate that PFAS mixtures will have both acute and chronic toxic effects. We will increase situational awareness in regards to AFFF use and develop best practice recommendations to reduce firefighter exposure to PFAS and prevent their toxic effects.