PFAS Alternatives Act
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeMrs. Dingell (for herself, Mr. Graves, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Fitzpatrick, …
Summary
What This Bill Does
This bill creates a federal grant program to support research and development of PFAS-free firefighter turnout gear. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic chemicals linked to cancer and other health problems that are currently found in many firefighters' protective clothing. The bill authorizes $25 million per year from 2025 through 2029 for research grants, plus $2 million per year from 2027 through 2031 for training programs on using the new equipment.
Who Benefits and How
Firefighters and emergency medical personnel benefit through reduced exposure to harmful PFAS chemicals and other combustion byproducts, potentially lowering their risk of occupational cancers and illnesses. Research institutions, universities, and nonprofit organizations working on firefighter safety can receive federal grants to develop and test new materials and protective gear. Manufacturers who develop PFAS-free alternatives to current turnout gear gain access to federal funding for their R&D work and potential future market opportunities. Labor unions representing firefighters benefit from mandatory partnership requirements that give worker representatives a voice in the research process.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Federal taxpayers fund the program at $27 million annually at peak spending. Current manufacturers who produce PFAS-containing turnout gear face potential market disruption as the industry shifts toward PFAS-free alternatives. The Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) must establish and administer the grant program within 180 days, requiring new administrative processes and oversight.
Key Provisions
• Establishes a grant program administered by HHS/NIOSH to fund research, development, and testing of PFAS-free turnout gear and associated materials
• Requires grant applicants to partner with firefighting industry organizations, including those representing nonmanagerial firefighters, ensuring worker input in the development process
• Prioritizes research that enhances protection against combustion byproducts, reduces maintenance requirements through contamination resistance or warning indicators, and considers body composition diversity in product design
• Creates a separate grant program starting in 2027 to develop and disseminate training materials for safely wearing, decontaminating, and caring for the new PFAS-free gear
• Mandates a progress report to Congress within two years on achievements under both grant programs
Evidence Chain:
This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
Primary Purpose
Establishes a federal grant program to fund research, development, and testing of PFAS-free firefighter turnout gear to reduce occupational illness and injury.
Policy Domains
Legislative Strategy
"Accelerate innovation in firefighter safety equipment by federally funding R&D to eliminate harmful PFAS chemicals from turnout gear while maintaining performance standards"
Likely Beneficiaries
- Firefighters and EMS personnel (reduced exposure to PFAS and other hazards)
- Research institutions and nonprofits working on firefighter safety (grant recipients)
- Manufacturers developing PFAS-free materials and turnout gear
- Fire service organizations providing training and guidance
Likely Burden Bearers
- Federal taxpayers (M annually for R&D grants FY2025-2029, M annually for training FY2027-2031)
- Current turnout gear manufacturers using PFAS materials (potential market disruption)
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_director"
- → Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
- "the_secretary"
- → Secretary of Health and Human Services
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
A nonprofit organization, institution of higher education, national fire service organization, or national fire safety organization with experience in at least 3 of: firefighter cancer/illness research, turnout gear education, firefighter health/safety/wellness education, collaboration with national nonprofits on firefighter research, collaboration with researchers on firefighter health, representing structural/wildfire/aircraft firefighter membership.
The component of turnout gear that principally prevents the transfer of hazardous liquids (hot liquids, fireground chemicals, infectious fluids) and contributes to thermal insulation without compromising performance.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that contain at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom or any other substance the Secretary determines appropriate.
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Protective clothing worn by firefighters and EMS personnel during firefighting and post-fire operations to minimize exposure to hazards. Includes protective clothing for structural, proximity, wildland, and urban interface firefighting, plus other PPE per 15 U.S.C. 2229(c)(3)(I)(i).
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology