Examination of Factors Influencing SCBA Washing Behavior among Firefighters in Metropolitan

Park, Hyun Sup; Ham, Seunghon; Jeong, Jin Hyeok; Kim, Soo Jin; Woo, Hyekyung

doi:10.3390/ijerph19042240

Cited by 6 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…These studies also highlight the potential for take-home exposure (tertiary exposure) [ 33 ]. However, it has been suggested that proper PPE management is an effective way for firefighters to reduce the risk of secondary exposure to pollutants [ 6 ]. Thus, indirect exposure risk due to PPE affects not only individuals but also acquaintances (work colleagues, family, etc.).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Direct exposure to hazardous substances generated at a fire scene is called primary contamination or direct exposure. In addition, exposure of PPE such as firefighters’ protective clothing and SCBA worn at the scene of a fire to contaminants from the surrounding environment is called cross (secondary) contamination or indirect exposure [ 6 ]. Finally, cross-contamination by pollutants from entering a fire vehicle or fire department without going through an on-scene emergency decontamination process is called tertiary (third) contamination or indirect exposure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Associations between Awareness of the Risk of Exposure to Pollutants Occurring at Fire Scenes and Health Beliefs among Metropolitan Firefighters in the Republic of Korea

Kim²,

Woo

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Firefighters are repeatedly exposed to various pollutants that occur at fire scenes. There are three levels of exposure: primary exposure to pollutants, secondary exposure to pollutants on personal protective equipment (PPE), and tertiary exposure to contaminated fire stations and fire engines due to pollutants on PPE. Therefore, it is important for firefighters to be aware of the risk of exposure to pollutants and to practice health behaviors such as appropriate PPE management. No clear association has been established in the existing literature between firefighters’ risk perception level and their health beliefs about the health impact of awareness of exposure to hazardous substances at fire scenes. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between awareness of the exposure risk to primary, secondary, and tertiary pollutants and health beliefs. It was designed as a cross-sectional study, in which a web-based survey was conducted from 13 May to 31 May 2021. The analysis was conducted in 1940 firefighters working in the Seoul metropolis who agreed to participate in the research. Participants who perceived susceptibility were likely to be aware of the primary (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16–3.80), secondary (AOR = 2.77, 95% CI 1.77–4.32), and tertiary (AOR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.85–4.03) exposure risks. Participants who perceived barriers were unlikely to be aware of the risk of exposure to primary (AOR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.49–0.91), secondary (AOR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.61–0.96), and tertiary (AOR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.62–0.91) pollutants. Educational intervention is recommended to improve perceived susceptibility and awareness of the risk of exposure to pollutants and reduce perceived barriers. Consequently, educational intervention is expected to positively impact firefighters’ management of appropriate PPE. We confirmed an association between occupational exposure risk and firefighters’ health beliefs. In the health belief model (HBM), health beliefs that affect health behavior also affect awareness of the exposure risk level. Therefore, an intervention for health beliefs can also be used to raise job-related exposure risk awareness. Regular training on the health impacts of fire scenes is necessary for both newcomers and incumbents to enable firefighters to better recognize the risks of each occupational exposure level. Additionally, laws and regulations are necessary for the removal of harmful substances that contaminate PPE, such as self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), during exposure to a fire scene. Our research can be used as a basis for improving fire policies and education programs in the future.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations between Awareness of the Risk of Exposure to Pollutants Occurring at Fire Scenes and Health Beliefs among Metropolitan Firefighters in the Republic of Korea

Kim²,

Woo

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…, 호흡기는 긴급상황의 최일선에서 마지막 순간까지 소방관의 생명을 지켜주는 가장 중요한 개인보호장비 중 하나이다 (1,2) . 따라서 공기호흡기의 올바른 사용과 관리는 소방관 개인의 건 강과 안전에 직접적으로 연관되어 있다 (3) 공기충전기는 연 . 2 회 법령에 근거하여 한국소방산업기술원에서 공기호흡기 용기 내부와 충전공기 품질에 대한 검사를 받는다 (4) 그러나 공기호 .…”

Section: 화재 수난사고 등 재난현장에서 소방관들이 사용하는 공기unclassified

Delphi Study on the Management System and Occupational Environment Improvement of SCBA and Charging Rooms

Kim¹,

Jeong²,

Ham³

2022

Fire Sci. Eng.

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The purpose of this study is to evaluate and suggest priorities for policy implementation to improve the management system and environment of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and charging rooms used by firefighters. The study included 15 experts and three interviews, and two modified Delphi surveys were conducted. Based on the results of previous research and expert interviews, the management system and environmental improvement plan for the SCBA and charging rooms were first derived. The improvement plan was presented in five areas, including resources, the SCBA and charging room management system, SCBA related work, SCBA charging room related work, and laws and regulations. The priority of policy implementation was derived by simultaneously analyzing the importance and practicality of the policy. Consequently, the first priority was to add contents to the manual for measures to prevent unwanted drinking of the Han River water and related symptoms for rescue workers during hardship rescue. The second priority was to specify the duty of decontamination in the disaster scene standard handling procedure and disaster scene return procedure stage. The next step was to investigate by conducting education on the risk of health effects of pollutants at disaster scenes. The results of this study can be utilized in the implementation of mid- to long-term fire policies for the systematic operation and establishment of a systematic management system for firefighters’ personal protective equipment, such as SCBA and charging rooms.

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“…These include strong leadership support and specific policies regarding PPE use, availability of clean replacement turnout gear (a second set off turnout gear or a separate turnout room where gear could be checked out), and air monitors all positively influenced risk reduction behavior, 10 and training on cleaning procedures. 49,53 Additionally, Harrison et al found that social capital and the development of networks of expertise helped facilitate cultural changes, knowledge, and practice toward decontamination and cancer risk. 48…”

Section: Facilitators To Risk Reduction Behaviorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A final area for improvement is in the scope of research on firefighters and cancer. While firefighter cancer incidences are reported at an international level, most research on firefighter risk reduction is based on U.S. firefighters, with a few notable exceptions 45,53,54 . There is little published research on European and other international firefighters knowledge, attitudes, and behavior toward decontamination, cancer screening, and other cancer risk reduction efforts.…”

Section: Improvements In International Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Firefighters and Cancer: A Review of the Current State of Cancer Incidences and Recent Trends in Risk Perception and Risk Reduction Efforts

Harrison

Muhamad

Malova

2022

MRAJ

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Objective: This paper provides a review of current knowledge and trends in research on firefighters cancer risks and risk reduction efforts and calls for future research focused on European and international firefighters to understand and reduce occupational cancer risk. Cancer incidence: Firefighters face increased occupational cancer risk. Firefighting has been linked with multiple types of cancer, including bladder, colorectal, brain and central nervous system, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, skin melanoma, and prostate and testicular cancer, with several others types of cancer being found at increased rates. Cancer risks: Increased occupational cancer risk is, in part, related to carcinogenic exposures at fire events and improper use and cleaning of personal protective equipment (PPE), with role and years in service increasing risk. Risk Perception: Research on efforts to reduce cancer risk are growing, and include examination of firefighter knowledge, attitudes, norms, and behaviors toward decontamination, screening, and healthy eating. Many firefighters report high perceived susceptibility and severity of cancer risk, and identify fire scene exposures, contaminated gear, diet, sleep disruption, chemical exposure from cleaning products, and barriers to medical care as contributing to increased risk. Risk Reduction: Firefighters have strong desire to reduce cancer risk and report generally favorable attitudes toward decontamination practices and proper gear use, but face barriers to reducing those risks, including lack of knowledge, occupational needs, organizational culture, policy, and lack of resources. Behavioral interventions to reduce cancer risk through decontamination efforts and dietary change have demonstrated positive results, however there is a dearth of research on these efforts, especially with European and international firefighters. Future Directions: Future research should focus on understanding European and international firefighters’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward cancer risk reduction, the impact of the built environment on cancer risk (station layout, clean cabs), improved efforts at tracking exposures, use of new technology and virtual reality in training to reduce cancer risk, and improved understanding of firefighter cancer risk by medical professionals.

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Examination of Factors Influencing SCBA Washing Behavior among Firefighters in Metropolitan

Cited by 6 publications

References 22 publications

Associations between Awareness of the Risk of Exposure to Pollutants Occurring at Fire Scenes and Health Beliefs among Metropolitan Firefighters in the Republic of Korea

Associations between Awareness of the Risk of Exposure to Pollutants Occurring at Fire Scenes and Health Beliefs among Metropolitan Firefighters in the Republic of Korea

Delphi Study on the Management System and Occupational Environment Improvement of SCBA and Charging Rooms

Firefighters and Cancer: A Review of the Current State of Cancer Incidences and Recent Trends in Risk Perception and Risk Reduction Efforts

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