PFAS Alternatives Act
This bill authorizes $25 million annually from 2025 through 2029 for grants to develop and test firefighter protective gear made without toxic chemicals known as PFAS, which have been linked to cancer and other illnesses. Starting in 2027, the bill also provides $2 million per year to create training and safety guidelines for firefighters on how to properly wear, clean, and maintain this next-generation gear.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Fire service organizations and research institutionsEligible to receive federal grants (authorized at $25 million annually for FY 2025–2029) to research, develop, and test PFAS-free firefighter turnout gear, as well as grants, contracts, or agreements (authorized at $2 million annually for FY 2027–2031) to develop related training and guidance (Sec. 2(a)(1), Sec. 2(b), Sec. 2(c)).
- Firefighters and emergency medical personnelGain new safety guidance, training on gear maintenance and decontamination, and the development of next-generation, PFAS-free protective turnout gear designed to minimize occupational illnesses and toxic exposures (Sec. 2(b), Sec. 2(c)).
Who it burdens
- Department of Health and Human Services (NIOSH)Required to establish and administer a grant program for PFAS-free gear research within 180 days, manage a training and guidance program starting in FY 2027, and deliver a progress report to Congress within two years (Sec. 2(b), Sec. 2(c), Sec. 2(d)).
The provisions, in plain language.
Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (through NIOSH) to establish a grant program—authorized at $25 million annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2029—to fund research, development, and testing of PFAS-free firefighter turnout gear and protective materials.
Directs the Department of Health and Human Services to provide grants, contracts, or agreements starting in fiscal year 2027—authorized at $2 million annually through fiscal year 2031—to develop and distribute firefighter training and guidance on safely wearing, cleaning, and maintaining the new turnout gear.
Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit a report to Congress within two years detailing progress made on the gear research and firefighter training programs.