Assessment of Ambient Exposures Firefighters Encounter While at the Fire Station

Abstract

Objective Firefighters are at increased risk for many types of cancer. While most studies on this topic focus on exposures encountered while fighting fires, exposures at the fire station are also cause for concern. This pilot study aimed to describe air quality within a few fire stations in and around Boston, Massachusetts, and to investigate physical and organizational factors that may influence levels of contaminants in stations. Methods Air sampling of particulate matter less than 2.5μm in diameter (PM2.5) and particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was completed at four fire stations in Spring, 2016. Sampling occurred in the kitchen, truck bay, and just outside the station. Data were analyzed to assess differences between and within stations. Interviews (n=7) were conducted with officers at each station to explore health and safety-related organizational policies and practices. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed for thematic content. Results At each station, levels of contaminants were higher in the truck bays than either the outdoors or kitchen, and varied the most throughout the day. The station with the highest exposures in the truck bay had the lowest levels in the kitchen, which was possibly explained by new building materials and effective separation between building zones. The age and layout of the stations appeared to determine the extent to which policies favoring exhaust capture were implemented. Conclusion Levels of PM2.5 and PAH inside fire stations may contribute to firefighter cancer risk. Through understanding contaminant variability, we can begin to design and test interventions that improve cancer prevention.

Cancer risk among career male and female Florida firefighters: Evidence from the Florida Firefighter Cancer Registry (1981‐2014)

“…70 While the funding to launch this initiative is substantial periodic linkage of these registries can be used to document possible cancer risk reductions in firefighters as best practices for reducing occupational cancer risk are implemented. 17,18,[74][75][76] The results from the current analysis and other studies of firefighters and cancer have relevance for action taken by policymakers. Most US states have passed presumptive legislation that provides coverage for cancer-related healthcare costs; selection of covered cancers varies across these/state municipalities.…”

“…For example, the addition of cancer registries in California, New York, and Texas, to the data already being collected in Florida, would represent over 30% of the annual incident cancers collected annually in the United States 14 . More importantly, periodic linkage of these registries can be used to document possible cancer risk reductions in firefighters as best practices for reducing occupational cancer risk are implemented 17,18,74–76 …”

Placing prostate cancer disparities within a psychosocial context: challenges and opportunities for future research

“…For instance, higher education can provide greater access to social support, which can be an important buffer against psychosocial stressors [32], whereas higher income can provide greater access to quality healthcare [33]. In addition, certain occupations (e.g., firefighters), regardless of income and education, expose individuals to higher levels of carcinogens that may in turn increase disease risk [34][35][36]. Therefore, assessing the mechanisms by which these SES indicators raise prostate cancer risk is critical.…”

Work Conditions and Practices in Norwegian Fire Departments From 1950 Until Today: A Survey on Factors Potentially Influencing Carcinogen Exposure

“…No certain causes of these increased risks are yet established, although occupational exposure to chemical carcinogens through fire smoke, soot, and debris would seem to be a plausible candidate [ 1 ]. Additional proposed relevant factors include diesel exhaust exposure [ 3 ] and shift work [ 4 ].…”