Bennet, Heinrich, Fischer, Welch, Curtis Introduce Legislation to Protect Firefighters from Harmful Chemicals

 Pursuant to Senate Policy, petitions, opinion polls, and unsolicited mass electronic communications cannot be initiated by this office for the 60-day period immediately before the date of a primary or general election. Subscribers currently receiving electronic communications from this office who wish to unsubscribe may do so here . M About About Michael Legislation News Press Releases Social Media Newsletter Archive Services Priorities Top Issues Child Tax Credit Investing in Colorado Contact Map Español Acerca de Michael Escribe a Michael Prioridades Servicios Visitando D.C. Bennet, Heinrich, Fischer, Welch, Curtis Introduce Legislation to Protect Firefighters from Harmful Chemicals Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and John Curtis (R-Idaho) to introduce the Protecting Firefighters and Advancing State-of-the-Art (PFAS) Alternatives Act of 2026, legislation to support the development of next-generation, PFAS-free protective gear to better protect firefighters. Firefighters are exposed to carcinogens […] Jun 29, 2026 | Press Releases Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and John Curtis (R-Idaho) to introduce the Protecting Firefighters and Advancing State-of-the-Art (PFAS) Alternatives Act of 2026, legislation to support the development of next-generation, PFAS-free protective gear to better protect firefighters. Firefighters are exposed to carcinogens when they respond to virtually every type of fire or incident. This includes PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, which are unfortunately currently found in firefighters’ turnout gear and firefighting foams, in addition to the smoke and air firefighters breathe when responding to emergencies. Exposure to PFAS is linked to an array of health problems, including various cancers, kidney disease, reduced immune function, and reproductive challenges. Tragically, cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service. Because of their occupational exposure to carcinogens, including PFAS chemicals and other toxins in their own protective gear, firefighters are nearly 10 percent more likely to develop cancer and almost 15 percent more likely to die from cancer than the general population. Despite advances in research and materials science, there is no protective gear currently available to firefighters that is proven to be completely hazard-free. The PFAS Alternatives Act helps address this by creating a new grant program dedicated to the research, development, and testing of PFAS-free turnout gear that maintains effectiveness while improving firefighter safety. “Every day, firefighters across Colorado put their lives on the line to protect our families, homes, and property,” said Bennet. “They take on enough risk just by doing their jobs. They shouldn’t have to worry that the gear meant to protect them is increasing their risk of cancer. The PFAS Alternatives Act will help ensure that these brave first responders are protected from hazardous materials while they do their jobs.” “Our first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and too many suffer or lose their lives from cancers caused by toxic exposures on the job — including from harmful PFAS chemicals in their protective gear. Our firefighters shouldn’t have to worry that the gear designed to protect them is putting their health at risk,” said Heinrich. “That’s why I’m leading legislation to invest in next-generation PFAS-free firefighting gear. Because we need to do more to protect the people who protect all of us.” “Our firefighters put everything on the line to keep us safe, and it’s our job to make sure they are taken care of,” said Fischer. “This bill gives us the resources for producing next-generation protective gear, free of PFAS chemicals, to protect the health and safety of firefighters in Nebraska and across the nation.” “From Vermont to Idaho and everywhere in between, firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. Their line of work is already hazardous enough without having to deal with toxic chemical exposure from the very gear meant to protect them,” said Welch. “I’m proud to work across the aisle on this legislation to support investments into developing new, PFAS-free turnout gear that protects firefighters across the country.” “Utah’s firefighters shouldn’t have to worry that the gear designed to keep them safe could expose them to harmful chemicals,” said Curtis. “This bipartisan legislation invests in the research needed to improve turnout gear, helping ensure firefighters have the proper protective equipment they deserve.” Specifically, the PFAS Alternatives Act would: Establish a grant program within the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to fund the research, development, and