![]() “I couldn't believe somebody would have missed this for so long,” Peaslee said. Peaslee’s widely-cited 2020 study showing the level of exposure firefighters face from the moisture barrier was a source of inspiration for the two bills as well as several lawsuits and other efforts. Peaslee has used applied nuclear physics to more effectively measure and study the chemicals. Notre Dame professor Graham Peaslee received piles of gear from firefighters nationwide, wanting him to test it for PFAS. READ MORE: House advances pilot blood testing program, aims to show how PFAS makes firefighters sick The goal is to show how much PFAS is in the firefighters bloodstreams, allowing for better research and potentially helping participating firefighters take steps to protect their health based on the results. HEA 1219 would create a pilot blood-testing program that up to 1,000 firefighters can volunteer to participate in. READ MORE: Bill would require labels for firefighting gear with PFAS, even though none are PFAS-free The bill wouldn’t allow Indiana fire departments to purchase gear unless it has a label stating whether or not it contains PFAS. The first of two PFAS-related bills to pass on to the governor’s desk this year was HEA 1341. As concerns about PFAS’ potential link to disproportionate rates of cancer among firefighters have been raised, manufacturers have whittled away at their presence in almost every part of the gear except for the moisture barrier. The chemicals used to be present in more parts of firefighter gear. "The end result is that we can turn genes on and off inappropriately, we can cause the body's signals to be all disrupted and every body system is potentially affected by some endocrine disrupting.” ![]() “When they get into the body, they either mimic hormones or they upset various hormonal balances,” Brown said. PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” are human-made chemicals found in everything from carpets, to fast food wrappers, to firefighting foams on military bases - like Grissom Air Reserve Base near Kokomo.Ĭornell School of Industrial and Labor Relations biologist, chemist and workplace health and safety program director Nellie Brown says these chemicals are dangerous because they are “endocrine disruptors.” ![]() Those experts also say the risk goes beyond just firefighters. Experts say those chemicals likely increase the risk of cancer and other health issues. Indiana has two new laws that aim to highlight and begin addressing the risks firefighters face from wearing gear that contains PFAS. Both entered the triathlon and decided to run in full gear to honor the firefighters who died 10 years ago.South Bend Fire's Carl Buchanon and other Indiana fire chiefs gathered at the state capitol to discuss issues, like PFAS exposure, with lawmakers during the 2023 session. But the biggest cheers of all were for Carmody and Gerdy. Several hundred onlookers cheered athletes as they crossed the finish line. With rays of sun breaking through clouds, they completed two six-mile loops on Pacific Coast Highway before tackling the run. Then they ran across sand and up a hill where they transitioned to the bike portion of the triathlon. The athletes started by swimming in the ocean. Other men and women in uniform also received special honors with a “heroes” division of military, police and firefighters kicking off the race at 7 a.m. firefighters Dennis Carmody and Daniel Gerdy stunned the crowd after they swam a half-mile in the ocean, bicycled 12 miles and then put on full firefighting gear to run three miles.Ĭarmody, 32, also grabbed an American flag while Gerdy, 29, carried a red and gold flag honoring New York firefighters. ![]() CRYSTAL COVE – It was a day of heroes at the Pacific Coast Triathlon on Sunday with firefighters, military and police honored for their service.
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