Study: Simple wipe test finds invisible cancer-linked PFAs on firefighter gear

MIAMI, FLORIDA (Dec. 29, 2025) – A simple wipe test detected invisible cancer-linked “forever chemicals” on every set of firefighter gear examined, including breathing masks, according to new research from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The non-destructive method offers fire departments a practical way to identify and reduce exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), chemicals tied to increased cancer risk that can linger on gear long after a fire is out.

Published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, the study offers a practical tool to help firefighters reduce exposure to chemicals linked to cancer – the leading cause of firefighter line-of-duty deaths..

“Think of it as turning on a blacklight in a dark room,” said Alberto Caban-Martinez, Ph.D., D.O., M.P.H., deputy director and investigator at Sylvester’s Firefighter Cancer Initiative (FCI). “Suddenly, you see what’s been hiding all along.”

PFAS are heat-resistant compounds used in foams and coatings. They don’t burn, don’t break down and don’t leave easily. In the study, researchers swabbed high-contact areas of turnout gear and SCBA masks with damp polypropylene wipes, then analyzed the extracts using advanced mass spectrometry.

The results were alarming. Every gear set tested carried PFAS, with concentrations reaching hundreds of nanograms per gram. Even inside breathing masks—where firefighters expect clean air—PFAS traces were found.

“It’s like smoke that never clears,” said Erin Kobetz, Ph.D., M.P.H., co-author of the study and director and principal investigator of Sylvester FCI. “These chemicals ride home on gear, settle in firehouses, and can end up in the bloodstream.”

Through research, education and advocacy, Sylvester FCI has helped transform firehouse culture, with its work spanning mobile cancer screening clinics, decontamination kits, and training programs in English and Spanish. The Initiative also champions policies like Florida’s presumptive cancer law, which provides financial support for firefighters diagnosed with occupational cancers.

“Our pledge is to protect those who protect us,” said Kobetz, who is also associate director of community outreach and engagement at Sylvester and the John K. and Judy H. Schulte Senior Endowed Chair in Cancer Research. “From gear testing to health screenings, every step moves us closer to a safer fire service.”

The wipe test is a powerful decision-making tool, informing:

• When to clean gear.
• How to bag and transport it.
• Which items need deep decontamination before the next call.

Because the method doesn’t damage textiles, it can be used routinely—after high-foam incidents or multi-alarm fires—without sidelining equipment.

The study went beyond simply finding the chemicals. Researchers also estimated how PFAS on the surface of gear could translate into internal exposure. Their conclusion: Even trace amounts on equipment can add up to meaningful exposure across a career.

“We want PFAS to stay off skin, off gear, and out of stations,” said co-author Natasha Schaefer Solle, Ph.D., RN, Sylvester FCI deputy director and investigator. “A quick wipe test helps crews make smarter choices—before invisible hazards become lifelong burdens.”

Read more about Sylvester research on the InventUM blog and follow @SylvesterCancer on X for the latest news on its research and care.

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