Firefighters Take A Stand For Safer Chemicals

"Firefighters are fully aware that we work in a chemical cocktail." - Ret. Captain Tony Stefani, president, San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation.

As more becomes known about the toxic chemicals in our homes, and the dangerous byproducts produced when they burn, firefighters are sounding the alarm about the impact on their health. And they’re speaking up about the need for stronger laws on toxic chemicals.

Every day, firefighters put their lives on the line to protect us from danger. They run into burning homes and workplaces to protect our life and property. Some firefighting risks are easy to recognize – the fire itself or unstable structures. Other risks aren’t as visible but are equally dangerous, like the thousands of chemicals firefighters are exposed to from burning consumer products that contain PVC plastic, toxic flame retardants, and more.

No one knows this more than Ret. Captain Tony Stefani, president of the San Francisco Firefighters Cancer Prevention Foundation, who testified in Congress this week about the rising cancer rates in his firehouse and his own battle with Transitional Cell Carcinoma. His doctor told him his cancer is “a rare form of cancer usually found in people who work in the chemical industry.” 

He testified that the protective equipment firefighters use can’t shield them from the 100 or more chemicals swirling in the air in a fire and its aftermath.  He asked for support of the federal Safe Chemicals Act noting that “It is probably too late for this generation of firefighters…but future generations of firefighters to come will be forever thankful that this very important step was taken.” 

His moving testimony is a stark contrast to the crass actions of the makers of toxic flame retardants whose deceptive tactics to keep their toxic products on the market were recently exposed by the Chicago Tribune. The Tribune uncovered how the chemical industry conspired with the tobacco industry to keep toxic flame retardants in consumer products even though chemical flame retardants are less effective in retarding fires than other nonchemical means.  

But now firefighters are fighting back.  Four state organizations, including the Washington State Council of Firefighters, sent a letter last week to the chemical industry trade group the American Chemistry Council, asking them to take a stand against the deceptive tactics of their members who make toxic flame retardants and expel these companies from their membership. 

Here in the other Washington, both the Washington State Fire Chiefs and the Washington State Council of Firefighters have been active supporters of laws to eliminate PBDEs and other toxic flame retardants in consumer products, most recently the Toxic-Free Kids Act. Earlier this summer, the Washington State Council of Firefighters passed a resolution pledging to work to remove toxic flame retardants, and brominated and chlorinated dioxins and furans from consumer products sold in Washington state. 

We’re proud to stand with firefighters in support of safer chemicals and stronger laws. Let's hope more policymakers will too.