A group of firefighters from Massachusetts filed a federal lawsuit against foam and PPE manufacturers, claiming that per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also called PFAS, causes cancer.
Deputy Chief Joe Marchetti from the Brockton Fire Department was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2016.
He told NBC Boston that he decided to join the lawsuit this past December, after high levels of PFAS were detected in his body.
Marchetti joins 13 firefighters from Boston, Fall River, Norwood and Worcester in the lawsuit.
“It could have been caused by chemicals in the gear that’s supposed to protect me throughout my career and help me help others,” Marchetti said about his diagnosis.
“I don’t want to retire, but it’s the best thing for my health going forward,” he said.
