By Michael Bartlett on January 26th, 2026 in PFAS/AFFF
Some female firefighters may be tempted to hold back from filing exposure claims, mistakenly believing that they need sex-specific studies to win their case. That's a misconception, as toxic exposure rules apply to everyone. Courts and regulatory agencies recognize that toxicity is an established scientific fact.
Across modern emergency services, feminine presence is no longer an exception but a vital component of the workforce, gaining powerful momentum. According to the 2020 US Fire Department Profile, approximately 90,000 female firefighters serve in the United States, representing 9% of the total workforce. Among them, over 72,000 serve in volunteer positions, and 6% have risen to the rank of Fire Chief.
However, behind these women's uniforms and courage is a concern that gets little attention: awareness of how toxic chemicals affect everyone, men and women alike. For decades on end, studies on firefighter health targeted men exclusively, failing to include women. Importantly, the lack of historical research on women does not erase their risk; modern biomonitoring and toxicology evidence confirm exposure and harm.
While historical documentation was limited, contemporary studies conducted by the Women Firefighter Biomonitoring Collaborative (WFBC) have shown that female firefighters have significantly higher PFAS levels in their bodies than women in office-based jobs.
In fact, of the 12 PFAS types measured in the study, 7 were detected in over 70% of participants, and 4 specific PFAS types were detected in 100% of the female firefighters tested. The chemicals originate directly from Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF) and contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE).
Exposure to AFFF through skin contact, inhalation, or contaminated gear is equal in firefighting operations, but female biology may react differently. PFAS are endocrine disruptors and interact with hormone systems that are more prominent in women.
Research suggests that PFAS exposure may be linked to conditions that present more frequently in women than in men, or that impact female biology and the endocrine system differently:
Female firefighters are a key part of the same hazardous work environments, which courts now recognize as toxic due to AFFF. It would be unreasonable to allow the underrepresentation of women in past medical research to delay action today.
If you are a female firefighter, active or retiring, facing health problems potentially linked to AFFF exposure, it is time to seek the justice you deserve. Besides the previously highlighted female-focused conditions, you can also experience other PFAS-related health issues, such as kidney or bladder problems. In all cases, you have the exact same legal rights as your male colleagues. We at ELG law can help you make a claim for your absolute right to compensation.