Wellness Wednesday – The Dirty Truth About Cleaning Your PPE

Study examines the effectiveness of laundering personal protective equipment

By CRACKYL staff

They say not to air your dirty laundry in public, but when it comes to firefighting, there’s some “dirty laundry” worth talking about – literally. As firefighters, we all (hopefully!) understand the importance of our personal protective equipment (PPE). It’s our frontline defense, protecting us from dangerous environments and the countless toxins we’re exposed to on the job. But here’s the kicker: that same PPE, if not cared for properly, could actually be putting your health at risk. Let’s dive into the dirt:

A group of researchers asked: Can contamination build up on our gear to the point where it becomes a health hazard? And if so, how effective is cleaning in minimizing that risk? To get answers, they zeroed in on hoods. These seemingly simple pieces of fabric do the heavy lifting of intercepting harmful airborne chemicals like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and flame retardants (FRs) before they can touch your skin.

In their study, the researchers exposed hoods to controlled conditions and then split them into two groups. One group went through the wash cycle; the other didn’t. What they found might surprise you. Some individual chemical levels actually increased after laundering – likely due to cross-contamination during washing. But the overall levels of PAHs and FRs were significantly lower in the laundered hoods compared to the unwashed ones. In short, washing worked, but not without quirks.

Still, laundering your gear – your hoods, gloves, turnout coats, and more – is a must-do. Sure, further research is needed to fully understand the impact of these contaminants, but why wait? If you need one more nudge to make laundering a regular part of your post-fire routine, think of it this way: Your PPE is like a lifeline. It takes care of you when you need it most, so take care of it in return. And next time you catch yourself thinking, I’ll just wash it later, remember this study. It’s one more reason to get it done now.