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Hillsborough Firefighters Fear Uniforms Are Toxic

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The Associated Press

Published: January 16, 2009

TAMARAC - Two Florida fire departments are dumping their fire-resistant uniform pants amid concerns that the fabric used is toxic.

The agencies in Tamarac and Hillsborough County began switching to cotton pants this week, as federal authorities investigate complaints about the material from Boca Raton firefighters. Last fall, laboratory tests found elevated levels of the element antimony in firefighters' hair, causing concern about heavy metal poisoning.

Fire Capt. John Luca is president of the Boca Raton firefighters union. He says about 50 firefighters are complaining of strange symptoms and others have suffered unexplained ailments in the past.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigator Dr. Marie de Perio says they're reserving judgment until they can test the firefighters' urine, which is a more reliable measure.

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