From CO₂ to the Unknown: The Science Driving Firefighter PPE Safety

In this conversation, Kindra Foley, Director of Sales & Marketing, PPE interviews Chris Robbins, Chief Technology Officer at Tersus Solutions, about the science behind PPE decontamination. In this conversation we discuss testing, emerging contaminants, and why Tersus isn’t limiting itself to one solution.

Kindra Foley sits down and gets the answers from Chris Robbins, SVP of Technology

One of the things I’ve always wondered is when does gear break down? How long does it last after repeated washes?

Chris Robbins (Tersus Solutions): That’s one of the core questions we’ve been asking as well. The longevity of firefighter gear is tied to both performance and safety. Every time you wash PPE, it’s exposed to physical and chemical processes, so are setting up a rigorous methodology to monitor how those processes affect the gear over time. We plan to run lab tests to simulate repeated cleanings and assess what happens to key properties like thermal resistance, moisture barrier performance, and tensile strength. It’s not enough to just get the gear “clean.” We have to ensure it still works like it’s supposed to in extreme environments.

I was really surprised to hear you say you’re testing your cleaning process against contaminants you don’t even have a cleaning protocol for yet. That seems kind of... experimental?

Chris: Exactly, and that’s the point. We’re constantly working with emerging contaminants, even ones we haven’t encountered in the field yet. These are compounds being identified in academic literature or new chemicals being flagged by regulatory bodies. When we come across one, we test whether our CO₂ process, or another formulation, is effective. Sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes no. But if we don’t test it, we’ll never know. It’s how we stay ahead of the curve.

When e‑vehicle battery fires began creating havoc, we didn’t know if our process would suffice. Working with Orange County Fire Authority on the West Coast, we tested contaminated gear before and after cleaning, showing OSHA‑compliant removal of battery debris. That validated our process and became a game‑changer for electric‑vehicle hazard response. This kind of curiosity-driven R&D is central to how we evolve our methods, refine our cleaning cycles, and prepare for the next unknown exposure firefighters may face.

So, CO₂ is your secret weapon but are you exclusively focused on that?

Chris: Not at all. While we’re proud of what we’ve achieved with liquid CO₂ cleaning, especially how it reduces water and energy use while being gentle on gear, it’s not the only solution we’re exploring. We believe in a platform-based scientific approach. In some cases, a combination of CO₂ and water can provide the best results. Our goal is to develop the most effective, safest possible way to remove harmful substances from PPE, not to become the “CO₂ company.” That flexibility is key to what we do.

Can you talk a little bit about how you plan to actually test whether the gear is clean?

Chris: Sure. We are working towards a full functioning lab that can determinte what the gear is contaminated with, then extract the contaminants with CO2 and water wash (if needed), then analyze them using mass spectrometry and chromatography. That allows us to track whether substances like PFAS, hydrocarbons, or biological materials have been removed. And then we want to go one step further: we retest the performance of the gear itself. Did the wash compromise its protective layers? Did it delaminate seams or impact fit? The cleaning has to be both effective and non-destructive. We are hands-on with every cycle, constantly refining our processes using real-world contaminant data.

What’s been the reaction from firefighters and departments?

Chris: Encouraging, mostly. There’s a lot of concern right now about long-term health from exposure to chemicals on gear. When firefighters learn that some residues don’t come out with conventional washing, they’re eager for new solutions. Our goal isn’t just to replace one system with another, it’s to give departments confidence that the cleaning process is scientifically validated and doesn’t trade safety for cost or convenience.

 To hear the whole interview, click the link in the image above.