The firefighter community believes per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in their protective gear contribute to their outsized rates of cancer. Firefighter occupational cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service, according to the IAFF. A year after we reported this story the IAFF began to fully embrace the idea that PFAS in gear poses an unnecessary threat.  

I pitched, produced, and wrote this story with some scripting assists from then–CBS Mornings Anchor Tony Dokoupil and field producing support from Supervising Producer Martin Finn.