New bill would ban cancerous chemicals from California firefighters’ gear

When firefighters in California head into the flames, they wear special gear to protect them from heat, moisture, smoke and falling materials. But the same equipment meant to keep them safe exposes them to cancer-causing chemicals embedded in their uniforms.

This week, California firefighters and lawmakers convened at Fire Station 34 in Pasadena to promote a bill to eliminate toxic elements in firefighters’ garments, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.

In a time of extreme political divisions...