Date of Request
20/11/2025
Request
Dear Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority
This is a FOIA request.
Please confirm/provide the following:
· Any documents (including, but not limited to any policies, memos, communications, advice) regarding PFAS generally and/or PFAS exposure.
· Whether you have, at any point, conducted any testing for PFAS levels in blood on any firefighters within your workforce.
· If you have conducted testing, please confirm the type of testing carried out and provide the data results.
· If you have not conducted testing, please confirm on what basis this decision has been made.
For the avoidance of doubt, this is a FOIA request. It is well established that Article 8 ECHR imposes a duty on public authorities to provide information to the public which enables them to assess the risks to which they are exposed: Di Sarno v Italy (App. no. 30765/08, ECtHR, 10 January 2012) at §107 and 113; Guerra v Italy (1998) 26 EHRR 357 at §60l Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz v Switzerland (2024) 79 EHRR 1 at §§553-554. Occupational exposure to PFAS would clearly fall under this category.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely
Leigh Day
Response
Good Afternoon
We thank you for your request for information, which has been received by Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service (the Service) and considered under the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) 2004.
The Service can confirm that the information that you have requested is held and as the below:
· Any documents (including, but not limited to any policies, memos, communications, advice) regarding PFAS generally and/or PFAS exposure.
The Service have no supporting documents for PFAS. Two years ago, the Service changed all foam containing PFAS for an alternative foam that does not contain PFAS.
· Whether you have, at any point, conducted any testing for PFAS levels in blood on any firefighters within your workforce.
No testing has been carried out.
· If you have conducted testing, please confirm the type of testing carried out and provide the data results.
N/A
· If you have not conducted testing, please confirm on what basis this decision has been made.
No explanation was recorded.
If you have any questions regarding your request, please contact Information Governance and Committee Services on tel: 0345 122 4454 or by e-mail informationrequests@hwfire.org.uk. In any such communication please include the reference number assigned (see Subject).
Should you have any queries regarding the management of your request and wish to make either a complaint or request a review of the information disclosed to you, please do so by using Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service’s complaints system: Comments and Complaints. This must be done within 40 working days of our response to your request. After this date and in line with ICO guidance the Service is not obliged to provide an internal review of your request.
If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the internal review, you may appeal the decision by contacting the Information Commissioner, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AF, Tel: 0303 123 1113 (alternatively 01625 545745) or E-mail: casework@ico.org.uk.
Further information on Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service may be viewed at the Service’s website: www.hwfire.org.uk
Thank you for your request for information.
Kind regards,
Information Governance Team