Grants Help Fire Departments Purchase Cancer-Prevention Gear

BOSTON (AP) -- More than 170 fire departments across Massachusetts are sharing $920,000 in state grants for equipment intended to reduce firefighters' exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.

The Firefighter Turnout Gear Grant program will provide firefighters in 144 departments with new hoods and gloves. These will reduce exposure to cancer-causing chemicals in the head and hand areas.

Through the Washer-Extractor Equipment Grant, $420,000 was awarded to 75 departments for equipment to clean their gear after exposure to smoke and other toxic chemicals.

Forty-five fire departments were successful in applying for both grants.

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