The Colorado House last week unanimously approved a bipartisan bill to protect firefighters from the dangerous impacts of the manmade Polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAs.Polyfluoroalkyl substances are used to battle high-heat fires. The Environmental Protection Agency has deemed the material toxic as it stays in the body for two to seven years upon exposure, according to a Colorado House Democrats news release.House Bill 19-1279, sponsored by Rep. Tony Exum, D-Colorado Springs, a retired battalion chief, would prohibit the use of PFAs during firefighting training exercises and includes a fine for compliance failure. The money collected from fines would go to the Local Firefighters Safety and Disease Prevention Fund.The bill also created the Firefighters Foams and Personal Protection Equipment Act, which prohibits the use of PFAs, requires companies to inform consumers if their equipment has been treated with this hazardous material, and requires the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment to conduct surveys to learn if any stations are using the toxic material.The bill is currently making its way through the Colorado Senate.– Joe Moylan covers crime and public safety for The Greeley Tribune. Reach him at jmoylan@greeleytribune.com, (970) 392-4467 or on Twitter @JoeMoylan.