According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), PFAS are a large group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s because of their useful properties. There are thousands of different PFAS, including perfluorooctanoic acid (“PFOA”) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (“PFOS”), two of the most widely used and studied PFAS.
Additional information about PFAS can be found on the EPA’s PFAS website.
PFAS are a large group of chemicals that have been widely used because of properties such as resistance to water, oil, heat, and certain chemicals. Their durability and ability to provide water- and stain-repellent properties have led to their use in a wide variety of consumer, commercial, and industrial applications.
PFAS have historically been used in products such as stain-resistant textiles, non-stick cookware, rainwear and other outdoor clothing, as well as certain personal care and cosmetic products.
PFAS-based finishes have historically been used on outer shell materials in firefighter and other first responder PPE to provide water- and stain-repellent properties. These durable water repellent (DWR) finishes help reduce the absorption of liquids and contaminants that may come into contact with the garment.
Fluorinated technologies have also historically been used in underlying protective layers, including certain moisture barriers, to help prevent liquids from penetrating through the protective clothing.
Learn more about how turnout gear materials and technologies are evolving →
PFAS chemistries have historically been used in first responder PPE for two principal purposes:
Materials and technologies continue to evolve, including the introduction of non-PFAS options for structural turnout gear.
No. Ricochet does not manufacture PFAS chemicals or directly apply PFAS-based finishes to its products.
Ricochet purchases materials and components from suppliers. Some of these materials may have PFAS-based finishes applied, contain a fluorinated barrier technology, or both. The chemical manufacturing and application of these technologies occur upstream in the supply chain before the materials or components are supplied to Ricochet.
Ricochet also offers non-PFAS turnout gear options using qualifying materials and components that meet the applicable ≤100 ppm total fluorine threshold.
Yes, some Ricochet products and material configurations may contain PFAS. However, non-PFAS options are now available for structural turnout gear.
Ricochet offers non-PFAS configurations across its Maverick™, Prime™, and Response™ structural turnout gear packages using qualifying materials and components that meet the applicable ≤100 ppm total fluorine threshold.
NFPA 1970 does not require turnout gear to be non-PFAS. Rather, manufacturers can offer certified material systems using either fluorinated or qualifying non-PFAS technologies, depending on the materials and configuration selected.
Because material options and technologies continue to evolve, customers and dealers should refer to Ricochet’s current resources for the latest available non-PFAS options and supporting information.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), scientific research suggests that exposure to certain PFAS may be associated with adverse health outcomes. Studies have identified potential effects including reproductive and developmental effects, increased risk of certain cancers, reduced immune response, interference with the body’s natural hormones, and increased cholesterol levels and/or risk of obesity.
Research is ongoing, and the potential health effects can vary depending on the specific PFAS, level and duration of exposure, and other factors. People may be exposed to PFAS through a variety of pathways, including contaminated drinking water and food, certain consumer products, occupational environments, and PFAS-containing firefighting foams.
Researchers continue to study PFAS exposure among firefighters and the potential contribution of different occupational exposure sources, including protective equipment, firefighting foams, combustion environments, and other materials encountered during emergency response.
Additional information about current PFAS health research is available on the EPA’s PFAS website.
Yes. Ricochet offers certified non-PFAS structural firefighting gear options and continues to work with material suppliers to expand the number of non-PFAS composite configurations available to departments.
Under NFPA 1970, qualifying protective elements can be identified as having a PFAS (total fluorine) concentration of no more than 100 ppm (≤100 ppm) upon certification. Total fluorine is used as a proxy for evaluating PFAS because there is not currently a standardized method for directly measuring every PFAS chemical that may be present in a material or component.
Explore our available non-PFAS turnout gear solutions to compare certified composites, materials, and package options.
For more information, feel free to visit our website or talk to your Ricochet sales representative. We will do our best to keep you as informed as we are!