RoseyFields conducted an occupational PFAS exposure assessment involving firefighter turnout gear and related protective equipment used in emergency response operations. We evaluated per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including PFOA, PFOS, and related fluorinated compounds associated with water-resistant and oil-resistant textile treatments, moisture barriers, and durable protective materials.
Our team performed surface wipe sampling, PFAS analytical review, material-source evaluation, exposure pathway assessment, and human health risk assessment. The technical analysis considered PFAS migration within gear layers, surface residue transfer, dermal contact, sweat-mediated transport, object-to-hand transfer, hand-to-mouth incidental ingestion, and potential cross-contamination from the occupational environment. RoseyFields also evaluated the chemical profile of detected PFAS to assess whether the contamination was consistent with manufacturing-derived materials, use-related weathering, or environmental accumulation.
RoseyFields identified and characterized a potential exposure class consisting of workers who repeatedly wore, handled, stored, and maintained PFAS-containing protective equipment during routine job activities. We evaluated how frequency of use, duration of contact, contact with skin-facing materials, heat, perspiration, and routine handling could contribute to cumulative exposure. This approach allowed our team to assess how PFAS-containing occupational gear can function as a persistent exposure reservoir and how affected worker populations may be evaluated using environmental forensics, exposure science, and risk assessment methods.
