protection association continue to be written in a way that favor the use of pfas chemicals by including certain requirements that can t easily be met using other materials. the nfpa tells us it doesn t create or dictate standards, but instead relies on expert volunteers, including many representatives of the firefighting community. the nfpa and the firefighters union remain locked in a heated lawsuit about what the standards should say. we contacted some of the largest manufacturers of firefighter gear to understand why pfas continues to be used. only viking responded, telling us there s been a lack of pfas-free fabrics approved by the nfpa, but says it s now testing alternative materials and plans to release a new line of gear by the end of the year, manufactured without pfas. at least two other companies, fire dex and lion, are already advertising pfas-free uniforms that are now being tested at
bigad: but lieutenant saade is concerned about her trainees, who were just issued the same type of standard clothing she s worn for decades. her fight for safer gear, she says, is for them, so firefighters can focus on saving lives instead of worrying about their own. magaly: this would affect the future, and if it changes, and legislation goes forward, then, yeah, then it was all worth it. bigad: with the investigative unit, i m bigad shaban. candice: if approved, the ban on fire gear made with pfas will go into effect in two years. coming up, was an accused rapist let off the hook? prosecutors offered a plea deal despite a confession and an apology, we investigate.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has once again called the Legislature's budget committee into special session to take up a plan to spend $125 million to combat PFAS.
After years of tumultuous and unpredictable regulatory uncertainty, the Maine Legislature has again decided to overhaul the state's PFAS in Products program.