Forest Service Halts Use of Firefighter Pants Containing PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’
Following a report by ProPublica detailing the U.S. Forest Service’s years-long use of clothing containing potentially harmful “forever chemicals,” the agency has stopped distributing garments made with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The Forest Service also stated it will require manufacturers to avoid using PFAS in future equipment.
ProPublica reported this month that, as recently as 2023, TenCate, a supplier for the Forest Service, used PFAS compounds in a Kevlar-blend pant fabric to repel water and gasoline. Despite knowing about the presence of PFAS, the agency had not previously informed wildland firefighters.
Delayed Disclosure and Internal Concerns
Internal correspondence obtained by ProPublica revealed that Forest Service officials were alerted to the presence of PFAS in wildland firefighter pants as early as 2021. In February 2024, when asked by ProPublica about PFAS in wildland firefighting gear, both the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior stated they lacked “specific measured concentration data showing that PFAS is contained in protective clothing and gear.”
However, emails show that a senior Forest Service official questioned in April 2022 whether the agency had a responsibility to notify firefighters about the PFAS contamination. The agency ultimately decided to withhold the information pending the results of a study on PFAS absorption through the skin. A former Forest Service employee, George Broyles, filed a Freedom of Information Act request in 2022 that led to the release of these emails, highlighting a pattern of “obfuscation” and reluctance to acknowledge health concerns among firefighters .
Industry-Wide Issue and NFPA Standards
PFAS have been widely used in protective gear due to their ability to repel substances like fuels. However, many municipal fire departments have begun phasing out PFAS due to growing health concerns, and firefighters in several states have filed lawsuits against manufacturers alleging PFAS-related health issues.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) updated its standards for municipal firefighter gear last year to restrict certain PFAS chemicals. However, a similar update for wildland firefighter standards has not yet been implemented. Rick Swan, an NFPA committee member, indicated that a restriction on PFAS in wildland gear is “all but inevitable,” citing a deliberate and thorough standards development process .
Health Risks and Ongoing Research
Experts agree that more research is needed to fully understand the health risks associated with PFAS exposure for wildland firefighters. Jeff Burgess, a researcher at the University of Arizona, noted that smoke inhalation and soot accumulation on gear are primary concerns for wildland firefighter health, and research on PFAS exposure has lagged behind .
Agency Response and Next Steps
On February 11, 2026, the Forest Service instructed cache managers to halt the issuance of the affected pants. On February 23, 2026, the Forest Service issued a statement to ProPublica, emphasizing that PFAS in protective gear is an “industry-wide issue” and denying any attempt to conceal information. The agency stated it has removed the PFAS-containing pants from stock and is updating its requirements to prohibit PFAS in fabric treatments and fabrics. TenCate has not yet responded to inquiries, but informed the Forest Service in January 2023 that a PFAS-free finish was available .