U.S. Forest Service accused of concealing cancer-causing chemicals in firefighter gear

WASHINGTON – Internal documents reveal the U.S. Forest Service was aware that wildland firefighter gear contained potentially harmful "forever chemicals" years before the agency publicly acknowledged the issue.

Emails obtained by ProPublica show that officials received warnings about the presence of PFAS compounds in firefighter trousers as early as 2021. PFAS are a group of chemicals linked to various cancers and other significant health problems.

The chemicals were identified in fabric finishes produced by TenCate, a major equipment supplier. While a senior Forest Service official considered notifying firefighters of the risks in April 2022, the agency ultimately decided to wait for additional research results.

This internal timeline contradicts the Forest Service’s public stance in February 2024, when it told ProPublica it lacked "specific measurement data" regarding PFAS in its equipment.

The documents were released following a Freedom of Information Act request by George Broyles, a former agency employee. Broyles accused the Forest Service of having its "head in the sand" regarding the safety of its staff.

The Forest Service declined to comment on the internal documents.

The recent revelations regarding the U.S. Forest Service’s handling of PFAS exposure signify more than a mere failure to manage hazardous chemicals; they represent a systemic breakdown in institutional transparency and accountability. At the core of this issue is a deliberate administrative decision to prioritize silence over the immediate safety of frontline personnel. The agency’s 2022 internal directive to "await further study" rather than issue an early warning suggests a calculated bureaucratic effort to mitigate legal liability and public fallout at the expense of human health.

This incident is symptomatic of a broader, more troubling pattern of behavior. As the evidence suggests, the Forest Service has long demonstrated institutional inertia regarding occupational health risks, particularly concerning toxic smoke inhalation among wildland firefighters. The concealment of PFAS risks is not an isolated lapse, but rather a reflection of an organizational culture that frequently minimizes the long-term hazards of the profession. When contrasted with internal emails, the agency’s 2024 public assertions of a "deep commitment" to risk reduction appear increasingly performative.

Furthermore, this case highlights the indispensable role of investigative journalism and transparency mechanisms like the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Without the persistence of a former employee and the investigative efforts of ProPublica, this information likely would have remained buried within agency archives. It stands as a definitive example of how civil oversight serves as the final check on public institutions, forcing accountability even—and especially—when the lives and health of civil servants are treated as secondary to bureaucratic interests.