STATEHOUSE (May 9, 2023) – A pair of bills looking to smoke out cancer and spread awareness among Indiana's firefighters are now law, according to State Rep. Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point).
Firefighters have a 9 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population, according to research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety. Olthoff said that firefighters not only run toward danger, but the protective equipment they're wearing can present its own risks.
Firefighter gear is made with PFAS or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are known for their heat- and moisture-resistant properties, but the chemicals can be absorbed through the skin, which could cause health issues like cancer. Under a new law authored by Olthoff, next summer Indiana fire departments will have to ensure any newly purchased gear is labeled as to whether it contains PFAS or not.
"We know that the men and women in our fire service face danger every day, but there's more we can do to limit their health risks," Olthoff said. "By requiring a label on new equipment, firefighters will be better informed about PFAS exposure and limit their contact with the gear. I'm grateful for the Hoosier firefighters who brought this issue forward, and I'll continue to work on ways we can reduce on-the-job health risks and save lives."
Olthoff also co-authored a new law to launch a biomonitoring pilot program to screen Hoosier firefighters for PFAS. Indiana will collect information from 1,000 past and present firefighters throughout the state to determine PFAS levels and detect corresponding health implications associated with the chemicals. Olthoff said the testing would be a non-invasive mouth swab or finger prick, and results and recommendations for decreasing PFAS levels and exposure would be reported back to legislators.
"This pilot program is a critical component to really getting the answers and data that we need to help us smoke out cancer and its risks among members of our fire service," Olthoff said. "I look forward to the results of the testing and finding solutions that can help up strengthen prevention efforts, spread awareness and ultimately save lives."
According to the International Association of Firefighters, from 2002 to 2019 cancer caused 65 percent of firefighter line-of-duty deaths.
The new laws received unanimous support during the 2023 legislative session, which concluded April 28.
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State Rep. Julie Olthoff (R-Crown Point) represents House District 19,
which includes portions of Lake and Porter counties.
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