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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Tom Perkins

New York City bill aims to ban toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in firefighting gear

four men standing outside
Firefighters battle an early morning fire in a building in the West Village of Manhattan on 26 February 2025 in New York City. Photograph: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

A new bill proposed in the New York city council would ban the use of toxic Pfas “forever chemicals” in protective gear worn by the city’s 11,000 firefighters.

The New York fire department is the nation’s largest firefighting force, and approval of the legislation would mark a major win for advocates who are pushing for safer “turnout gear” alternatives across the US. Massachusetts and Connecticut last year became the first states to ban the use of Pfas in turnout gear, and Illinois enacted a ban this year.

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