Yeah. The article uses "linked to" to describe that the chemicals may cause cancer. That's weasel worded and needs to be quantitative. The argument that some departments have started using PFAS-free gear and that proves the chemicals aren't needed is specious as well. You need to quantify the deaths and injuries from gear with and without PFAS.
Counting ladies around the lunch table whose husbands have prostate cancer is not good science.