Senate unanimously approves requirement to label PFAS content in newly purchased turnout gear

The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 163, which requires that newly purchased firefighting turnout gear bear a label indicating that the gear contains PFAS, the class of chemicals linked to elevated cancer rates among firefighters.

Why it matters: Sponsor Senator Sarah Larson framed the bill as an information measure rather than an immediate mandate to replace gear. Larson said labeling will give departments the information they need to manage and plan for safer alternatives as PFAS-free options become commercially available.

Sponsor remarks and context: Larson recounted the case of her uncle, a volunteer firefighter who died after a long battle with cancer, and cited national firefighter organizations and studies that link occupational exposures to elevated cancer risks. She said turnout gear typically contains PFAS in multiple fabric layers and is costly and long-lived; because gear is often passed between departments, labels would help buyers know whether gear contains PFAS.

Questions and responses: Senators questioned cost and availability. Larson told the Senate that the bill imposes no immediate purchase mandate and that labeling itself would not create additional cost; she noted a December announcement of the first PFAS-free gear availability and cited anecdotal reports that some PFAS-free options could be less expensive, though she said she had no proof.

Association stance: Larson said the South Dakota Firefighters Association did not take a formal stand, citing member concerns about cost and the novelty of the issue.

Vote and next steps: The Senate approved SB163 by a vote of 35 yeas, 0 nays. The President declared the bill passed and the title deemed correct.

Ending: The measure will proceed to the next stage of the legislative process after the chamber’s formal actions.