New legislation is aiming to keep firefighters safe from a potentially cancer-causing chemical that they use on the job nearly everyday.

Retired FDNY Lt. Mike O'Connell knows what it's like to get sick on the job after working at Ground Zero in Manhattan for months. He says it's about time something is done to ban PFAS from firefighting foam.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced the proposed federal legislation that would ban the chemical.

"Studies have shown that PFAS exposure can lead to kidney cancer -- other cancers, thyroid disruption, immune system defects and developmental effects in children," says Gillibrand.

Besides keeping firefighters from being exposed to this potentially deadly chemical, the bill aims to stop groundwater and drinking water contamination for communities near the facilities where it is used.

The proposed federal legislation would prohibit its use by 2024.

Firefighters can still continue using firefighter foam, however there are environmentally friendly alternatives that can be used.