The Fire Service Accidentally Built a Chemical Exposure Uniform
For decades, firefighters focused on contaminants from the fireground while ignoring another possible exposure source: the uniforms worn during every 24-hour shift. This article explores how synthetic fabrics, PFAS treatments, and chemically engineered “performance” clothing became normalized inside the fire service — and why Merino wool may offer a safer path forward.
Do firefighter station uniforms actually need flame retardants? More firefighters and departments are questioning long-standing assumptions about station wear and exposure.
