Across the United States, thousands of firefighters, including many across Pennsylvania, are routinely linked to chronic exposure to smoke, soot, PFAS, combustion byproducts, and toxic particulates, resulting in conditions such as Sarcoidosis among other diseases. These hazards remain an unavoidable part of a firefighter’s duty, and these hazards to their long-term health deserves meaningful attention.

To that end, I will soon be introducing a resolution to beseech Congress to create formal legislation to address the need for early screenings for Sarcoidosis, cancer, and similar conditions caused by exposure to smoke, PFAS, and other harmful agents.

Across our nation firefighters face a growing prevalence of sarcoidosis and other related inflammatory diseases which are directly associated with repeated exposure of cancer/disease-causing chemicals. Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory condition in which clusters of granulomas form in organs, most commonly the lungs and lymph nodes.

Symptoms of pulmonary sarcoidosis frequently resemble those seen in cancer and other serious respiratory diseases. Common signs include persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, fevers, swollen lymph nodes, and night sweats. In some cases, sarcoidosis can lead to permanent lung scarring (fibrosis), pulmonary hypertension, and long‑term breathing difficulties. Additionally, it can also affect other systems throughout the body, including the skin, heart, eyes, nervous system, and kidneys.

Diagnosis can be challenging because symptoms can be vague, nonexistent, or mistaken for other conditions. Early detection often relies on the same imaging tools already used in cancer screening—such as chest X‑rays, CT scans, MRI, and biopsies—making sarcoidosis screening both feasible and practical within existing clinical pathways.

By urging Congress to support screening for Sarcoidosis and other related diseases within the implementation of the Firefighter Cancer Screening Program, we can ensure that firefighters receive the comprehensive care and early detection that they need and deserve.

Please join me in cosponsoring this critical legislation so that we can continue to support the firefighters both in our Commonwealth and across the nation who keep our communities safe and secure.