PPE and Turnout Gear Deep Cleaning and Decontmination

I’ve often heard it said, “Firefighters hate two things: change and the way things are.” The fire service is built on valuable traditions, but we can’t let tradition stand in the way of progress. The reality we face today is sobering: cancer is one of the leading causes of firefighter line-of-duty deaths. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified occupational exposure as a firefighter as carcinogenic to humans, with associations to several cancers including mesothelioma and bladder cancer, and probable links to others such as prostate, testicular, and skin cancer.

Firefighters risk themselves every day to protect their communities. The least we can do is help protect them when the fire is over. Exposure control continues long after the flames are out. Routine, documented, effective cleaning and decontamination of turnout gear - combined with exposure tracking, on-scene gross decon, bagging contaminated turnout gear, clean cab practices, showering, fresh replacement uniforms, and station hygiene—are all part of a best-practices exposure-reduction program. No single step eliminates risk. We can help by reviewing your program, assessing your needs, and helping to implement your own operational playbook coupled with leading, evidence-based practices.

Many firefighters notice the same thing: freshly washed turnout gear often comes back smelling like oranges—and smoke. That leads to the next obvious question, if we still smell the smoke, what’s left behind? One reason is that common terpene (D-limonene) cleaners were designed primarily to cut grease and mask odor. Decades ago, our understanding of fireground toxins was very limited. Today we know much more about how modern combustion byproducts behave in gear and in the body. And the more we discover, the the clearer it becomes that traditional cleaners simply aren’t enough to remove the microscopic carcinogens that put firefighters at risk. That’s why choosing a modern cleaner engineered specifically for today’s fireground contaminants isn’t just a preference—it’s a matter of health and survival.

Legacy fires of the past were fueled mostly by wood, cotton, and paper. Today’s fires burn hotter and faster, fueled by plastics, synthetics, foams, and composites. They release a complex mix of benzene, formaldehyde, cyanide, heavy metals, PFAS, and other persistent contaminants. These residues don’t just remain on the fireground—they can transfer to skin, uniforms, vehicles, stations, and even homes. Exposure continues long after a call ends. Firefighters deserve solutions that go further.

It’s time to understand the advertising claims: There is a tremendous difference between degreasing and cleaning turnout gear and decontaminating it. Artemis is a biodegradable cleaning solution that incorporates advanced chemistry from research originally performed at Sandia National Laboratories. Artemis has been adapted specifically for firefighter PPE and turnout gear and is fabric-safe and effective. Independent, third-party laboratory testing using accredited methods has been conducted; summaries of those results are available for review.

• Formulated for use within NFPA 1851–compliant care and maintenance procedures. The NFPA does not test, certify, or endorse detergents, and no product is NFPA-approved. Always follow NFPA 1851, PPE manufacturer instructions, and departmental SOPs.
• Works effectively in cold water with either a standard washing machine or extractor when used as directed.
• EPA Reg. No. XXXXXXX. Readily biodegradable per [test method, e.g., OECD 301]. Wastewater disposal must follow all local regulations. SDS available.
• Based on a 2-oz dose at MSRP $1.00 (as of Sept 2025); actual cost varies by distributor, load size, and use.

Artemis offers an accessible and affordable option for departments of all sizes—urban or rural, structural or wildland, airport or industrial, full-time or volunteer. Independent testing has shown reductions in certain harmful residues on PPE and uniforms under controlled conditions. Don’t take anyone’s word for it—evaluate, test, and compare Artemis side-by-side with your current method to see if it is the right fit for your organization.

When it comes to firefighter health, the stakes are too high to accept “good enough.” It’s highly probable that no cleaning method eliminates all risk, but every department should evaluate whether its current approach truly addresses today’s contaminants. 

The author is a full time fire company officer and paramedic with more than 20 years of service in a major metropolitan department, serving over 1.5 million residents across 500 square miles. He also developed and managed his department’s nationally recognized decontamination program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, in addition to his fire service role, he serves as Senior Consultant for First In Solutions, representing Artemis Bio Solutions. The author has a professional and financial interest in Artemis as an independent consultant. These views are his own and do not represent his department or city. Mention of agencies or standards is for identification only; no endorsement is intended or implied. Departments should always conduct their own research, evaluation, and testing before adopting any product or procedures.