According to CBS News, cancer is the lead cause of death for firefighters due in part to the toxins they are exposed to while fighting fires. New lawsuits also point to firefighters' equipment and uniforms as another potential cause of cancer.
Firefighters are filing lawsuits alleging chemicals present in the protective gear they wear on the job and the foam they use to help extinguish fires is causing cancer.
CBS reports, "The lawsuits claim the chemicals used to make their gear resistant to flames, water and oil carry a hidden danger that can cause devastating illness."
The lawsuits are against the companies that make the chemicals (PFAS, Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and manufacture turnout gear and foam.
The defendants in the case deny that their products cause cancer.
To read more about the lawsuits, click here to read the article by CBS News.