Firefighters and Flame Retardant Activism

Cordner, Alissa; Rodgers, Kathryn M.; Brown, Phil; Morello‐Frosch, Rachel

doi:10.2190/ns.24.4.f

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…[1,2] Firefighters' exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a primary concern, as some PAHs are known carcinogens and are released during incomplete combustion. [3] Exposure to flame retardants (FRs) has also become an increasing concern for firefighters, [4] especially during structural fire responses where FRs present in furnishings may be released into the air through combustion. Studies have found PAHs, FRs, phthalates, and other chemicals contaminating personal protective equipment (PPE).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Firefighter hood contamination: Efficiency of laundering to remove PAHs and FRs

Mayer¹,

Fent

Bertke

et al. 2019

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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Firefighters are occupationally exposed to products of combustion containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and flame retardants (FRs), potentially contributing to their increased risk for certain cancers. Personal protective equipment (PPE), including firefighter hoods, helps to reduce firefighters' exposure to toxic substances during fire responses by providing a layer of material on which contaminants deposit prior to reaching the firefighters skin. However, over time hoods that retain some contamination may actually contribute to firefighters' systemic dose. We investigated the effectiveness of laundering to reduce or remove contamination on the hoods, specifically PAHs and three classes of FRs: polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), non-PBDE flame retardants (NPBFRs), and organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs). Participants in the study were grouped into crews of 12 firefighters who worked in pairs by job assignment while responding to controlled fires in a single-family residential structure. For each pair of firefighters, one hood was laundered after every scenario and one was not. Bulk samples of the routinely laundered and unlaundered hoods from five pairs of firefighters were collected and analyzed. Residual levels of OPFRs, NPBFRs, and PAHs were lower in the routinely laundered hoods, with total levels of each class of chemicals being 56-81% lower, on average, than the unlaundered hoods. PBDEs, on average, were 43% higher in the laundered hoods, most likely from cross contamination. After this initial testing, four of the five unlaundered exposed hoods were subsequently laundered with other heavily exposed (unlaundered) and unexposed (new) hoods. Post-laundering evaluation of these hoods revealed increased levels of PBDEs, NPBFRs, and OPFRs in both previously exposed and unexposed hoods, indicating cross contamination. For PAHs, there was little evidence of cross contamination and the exposed hoods were significantly less contaminated after laundering (76% reduction; p ¼ 0.011). Further research is needed to understand how residual contamination on hoods could contribute to firefighters' systemic exposures.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Firefighter hood contamination: Efficiency of laundering to remove PAHs and FRs

Mayer¹,

Fent

Bertke

et al. 2019

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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show abstract

“…Additionally, the use of BFRs has been directly linked to elevated fire toxicity . The cause for concern has got the attention of firefighters in the United States, who are now questioning the use of HFRs in consumer products and homes . As a result many HFRs are already subject to or under consideration for use restrictions or global bans.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bioinspired flame retardant polymers of tyrosol

Bouldin

Xia

Klement

et al. 2017

J of Applied Polymer Sci

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The enzyme catalyzed polymerization of flame retardant (FR) polymers from the renewable resource 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethanol (HPE), commonly known as tyrosol, is presented. The synthesis is environmentally friendly and requires only monomer, peroxidase catalyst, dilute hydrogen peroxide, and deionized water. Phenolic polymers are produced in short, one pot, high yield reactions that require minimal purification. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and 1 H-NMR analysis suggest the polymers are coupled through the 1, 2, 4, and 5 positions of the phenol ring and through the phenoxy substituent. Thermogravimetric analysis and pyrolysis combustion flow calorimeter show HPE homopolymers exhibit very low heat release rate and total heat release, while copolymerization with phenol increases already high char yields. Gel permeation chromatography reveals the molecular weight of the polymer increases with ethanol cosolvent concentration. The alcohol cosolvent also increases the proportion of oxyphenylene linkages to the detriment of FR properties. Preliminary quantitative structure-activity relationship toxicity modeling predicts the polymers are negative for developmental toxicity and Ames mutagenicity.

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“…Alissa Cordner and Phil Brown studied flame retardants with intensive engagement with scientists, learning about chemical policy and science at EPA offices and academic centers, and engaging with state regulators to create significant policy changes. In addition to numerous social science articles and a book [41], they published studies of environmental health research trajectories, environmental and health policy, and occupational exposure reduction in interdisciplinary health and environmental science journals [42,43,44]. Lauren Richter, Alissa Cordner, and Phil Brown currently conduct similar work on PFAS compounds, learning much about the science and policy through deep involvement with scientists and government agencies, and publishing in both social science and environmental health and science journals [45,46,47].…”

Section: Social Science Studies Of Environmental Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining Social Science and Environmental Health Research for Community Engagement

Cordner

Poudrier

DiValli

et al. 2019

IJERPH

Self Cite

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Social science-environmental health (SS-EH) research takes many structural forms and contributes to a wide variety of topical areas. In this article we discuss the general nature of SS-EH contributions and offer a new typology of SS-EH practice that situates this type of research in a larger transdisciplinary sensibility: (1) environmental health science influenced by social science; (2) social science studies of environmental health; and (3) social science-environmental health collaborations. We describe examples from our own and others’ work and we discuss the central role that research centers, training programs, and conferences play in furthering SS-EH research. We argue that the third form of SS-EH research, SS-EH collaborations, offers the greatest potential for improving public and environmental health, though such collaborations come with important challenges and demand constant reflexivity on the part of researchers.

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Firefighters and Flame Retardant Activism

Cited by 8 publications

References 46 publications

Firefighter hood contamination: Efficiency of laundering to remove PAHs and FRs

Firefighter hood contamination: Efficiency of laundering to remove PAHs and FRs

Bioinspired flame retardant polymers of tyrosol

Combining Social Science and Environmental Health Research for Community Engagement

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