B.C. firefighters concerned cancer-causing chemicals found in protective gear
Every two years, firefighters come together on the grounds of the B.C. Legislature to pay their respects to fallen colleagues. On Monday morning, 48 names will be read allowed.
"We’re talking probably out of the 48, in excess of 40 died from cancer," said Gord Ditchburn, president of the British Columbia Professional Firefighters Association (BCPFFA), on Friday.
This year will look a little different. Members flanking the memorial will not be wearing their turnout gear.
"The very gear that we wear, the very protective gear that we don everyday to protect the public and go into burning buildings, there’s chemicals contained within it," said Ditchburn.
Those synthetic chemicals are called PFAS and they are imbedded in the liner of the gear to protect first responders.
But, firefighters say studies out of the U.S. have found those same chemicals are cancer-causing.
"They are linked to a number of cancers including testicular and kidney," said Neil McMillan, science and research director of the International Association of Firefighters.
Knowing the risks, the BCPFFA has directed its members not to wear the gear unless on the job.
"That includes what we’re going to do on Monday," said Ditchburn.
Currently, there are no other alternatives to PFAS for turnout gear on the market, although south of the border, progress is being made.
"In 2018, Washington state was the first state in the nation to ban PFAS in firefighting foam, and require gear manufacturers to disclose whether there was PFAS in their turnout gear," said Laurie Valeriano, executive director of Toxic-Free Future in Seattle, Wash.
Valeriano says other states have now followed suit, forcing the market to find an alternative.
"We’re seeing much more of a movement to PFAS-free alternatives," said Valeriano.
The national organization expects those alternatives to take a few years to get approval for firefighting purposes.
Back here in Canada, firefighters say they're pushing for the same changes.
"We’ll be in Ottawa at the end of March for a legislative conference," said Ditchburn. "That will be the issue on the hill."
Firefighting groups will be asking for legislative change from the federal government, pushing for an alternative to PFAS.
"If we’ve got firefighters willing to put their lives on the line, willing to protect communities and strangers, it’s the least that we can ask, that the gear we wear isn’t going to kill us," said Ditchburn.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Engaged couple shot dead fleeing landlord after house dispute near Hamilton, Ont., police say
A 'truly innocent' engaged couple was shot dead while attempting to flee their attacker outside their home after a landlord-tenant dispute escalated on Saturday night, according to police.

Jan. 6 rioters are raking in thousands in donations. Now the U.S. is coming after their haul
Less than two months after he pleaded guilty to storming the U.S. Capitol, Texas resident Daniel Goodwyn appeared on Tucker Carlson's then-Fox News show and promoted a website where supporters could donate money to Goodwyn and other rioters whom the site called 'political prisoners.'
Venice authorities investigate after canal turns fluorescent green
Venetian authorities are investigating after a patch of fluorescent green water appeared in the famed Grand Canal on Sunday morning.
Russia launched 'largest drone attack' on Ukrainian capital before Kyiv Day; 1 killed
Ukraine's capital was subjected to the largest drone attack since the start of Russia's war, local officials said, as Kyiv prepared to mark the anniversary of its founding on Sunday.
Turkiye's Erdogan wins 5th term as president, extending rule into 3rd decade
Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan won reelection Sunday, extending his increasingly authoritarian rule into a third decade in a country reeling from high inflation and the aftermath of an earthquake that levelled entire cities.
Jewish groups and city officials protest against Roger Waters concert in Frankfurt
Several Jewish groups, politicians and an alliance of civil society groups gathered for a memorial ceremony and a protest rally against a concert by Roger Waters in Frankfurt on Sunday evening.
How much would you pay for this piece of '70s nostalgia?
'The Brady Bunch' house has hit the market for any fan of groovy ’70s pop culture, but it’ll take much more than a hunch to get your hands on it.
Paul Walker honoured by brother Cody who names newborn son after the ‘Fast & Furious’ star
As seen in People, Cody Walker and his wife Felicia have named their newborn son Paul, in tribute to the fallen 'Fast & Furious' star. Paul Barrett ('Bear') Walker was born late last month.
Attorney for 11-year-old Mississippi boy shot by police says there's 'no way' he could have been mistaken for an adult
An attorney for an 11-year-old Mississippi boy who was shot by a police officer after he called 911 for help said Thursday there was 'no way' the boy could have been mistaken for an adult.