WORCESTER, Mass. - Firefighters and advocates working to protect first responders from cancer-causing chemicals known as PFAS are disappointed over a lack of progress on legislation supporting their mission.

The Massachusetts Senate failed to move forward on two amendments added on to a broader healthcare bill by state Sen. Michael Moore (D-2nd Worcester).

What You Need To Know

  • Measures to address the presence of PFAS in firefighters' turnout gear appear to have stalled for this legislative session

  • PFAS have been linked to health problems, including cancers

  • Union leaders and former firefighters are disappointed with Massachusetts' prevention efforts

  • PFAS are also often found in items like nonstick cooking pans and stain-resistant clothing

The first amendment would have created a PFAS Research and Public Safety Fund, while the other would’ve banned the use of PFAS in firefighters’ turnout gear by 2027.

The measures would’ve marked significant progress for union leaders like Will Mosley, president of Worcester Fire Fighters Local 1009. Instead, he said he’s feeling disappointed.

“To see that we are potentially going to have another failed session to enact some legislation, that is disheartening to our guys,” Mosley said. “We go in every day, work really hard to protect our citizens of our various towns and cities, and all we want is some protection while we do our job.”

Cancer is the leading cause of death among active firefighters, and while Mosley is grateful for Senator Moore’s efforts to try and make progress in banning cancer-causing chemicals from turnout gear, the overall lack of progress on Beacon Hill has been baffling for him.

“We’re always going to continue to fight,” Mosley said. “I’m surprised it takes this much to get it done. It seems pretty common sense. It seems like the right thing to do. It seems like the fair thing to do. So the fact that it’s been such a long, difficult road to fruition is kind of confusing to me.”

Former firefighters said it’s been particularly frustrating because other states have managed to make progress on this issue as Massachusetts lags behind.

At 37, Joanie Cullinan was diagnosed with stage III melanoma while working for the Wellesley Fire Department and eventually had to submit her retirement papers.

“I think the men and women on Beacon Hill have the opportunity to step up here and protect the firefighters who proudly protect life and property in the Commonwealth,” Cullinan said. “We go to work every shift uncertain of what we’ll encounter. We should be certain our protective gear is safe.”

Joe Marchetti, retired chief of the Brockton Fire Department, is also a cancer survivor. He’s been keeping an eye on efforts in Washington, D.C., particularly the Firefighter PFAS Injury Compensation Act.

The bill would establish a program allowing firefighters to be compensated for the health problems they’ve experienced due to these chemicals.

“Unfortunately, it seems to have stalled in Congress,” Marchetti said. “My hope is that the International Association of Firefighters and the Democratic sponsors of the bill are working behind the scenes to gather support for that bill.”

PFAS are used to make things like nonstick cooking pans and stain-resistant clothing. They have been linked to serious health problems. 

The chemicals are found in the drinking water of nearly half of all Americans, according to a study done by the U.S. Department of the Interior. According to the EPA, the known health risks associated with them include several cancers, decreased fertility, developmental delays in children and a decrease in the efficacy of vaccines.