OPEN: Registration for the Study on PFAS and Cognition in Firefighters
Firefighter training and fire and rescue services are frequent in Central Texas. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a class of persistent chemicals (also known as the “forever chemicals”), are used in turnout gear, training activities in airports and military bases, and are a major ingredient of some firefighting foams, such as aqueous film-forming foams (AFFFs). Compared to the general population, firefighters may be exposed to more PFAS through inhalation of aerosolized foam, direct or indirect skin contact with contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as hand to mouth transfer during the use of AFFFs. Evidence from animal studies has suggested that long-chain PFAS, such as PFOA and PFOS, can reduce function of the nervous system and are potentially neurotoxic and correlate with neurobehavioral dysfunction, such as late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and learning and memory deficits. The effects of PFAS on health outcomes among residents in Central Texas have not been studied and there is no research examining cognitive function in firefighters, especially those who are currently on “active duty” (i.e., assigned to a fire station). Read more…