Mortality and cancer incidence at a fire training college

Glass, Deborah Catherine; Monaco, Anthony Del; Pircher, Sabine; Hoorn, Stephen Vander; Sim, Malcolm Ross

doi:10.1093/occmed/kqw079

Cited by 23 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The regular and active participation in fire combat has been linked with excess morbidity and mortality among firefighters, being the cardio-respiratory diseases the leading causes of death (Gianniou et al, 2016;Gaughan et al, 2014a, b;Soteriades et al, 2011). Some authors have also associated firefighters' occupational exposure with a possibility of increased risk to develop site-specific cancers, such as leukemia, esophageal, lung, kidney and bladder, skin melanoma, testicular, and urothelial cancer (LeMasters et al, 2006;Daniels et al, 2014;Glass et al, 2016;Golka and Weistenhöfer, 2008;Pukkala et al, 2014;Stec et al, 2018;Youakim, 2006). Furthermore, smoking workers are at a higher risk of suffering from the potential cumulative health risks associated with a regular exposure to fire emissions and tobacco consumption (Fernando et al, 2016;Oliveira et al, 2017c).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Firefighters exposure to fire emissions: Impact on levels of biomarkers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and genotoxic/oxidative-effects

Oliveira

Costa

Vaz

et al. 2020

Journal of Hazardous Materials

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Firefighters represent one of the riskiest occupations, yet due to the logistic reasons, the respective exposure assessment is one of the most challenging. Thus, this work assessed the impact of firefighting activities on levels of urinary monohydroxyl-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OHPAHs; 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 1-hydroxyacenaphthene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene, 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene) and genotoxic/oxidative-effect biomarkers (basal DNA and oxidative DNA damage) of firefighters from eight firehouses. Cardiac frequency, blood pressure and arterial oxygen saturation were also monitored. OHPAHs were determined by liquid-chromatography with fluorescence detection, while genotoxic/oxidative-effect biomarkers were assessed by the comet assay. Concentrations of total OHPAHs were up to 340% higher (p ≤ 0.05) in (nonsmoking and smoking) exposed workers than in control subjects (non-smoking and non-exposed to combat activities); the highest increments were observed for 1-hydroxynaphthalene and 1-hydroxyacenaphthene (82-88% of ∑OHPAHs), and for 2-hydroxyfluorene (5-15%). Levels of biomarker for oxidative stress were increased in non-smoking exposed workers than in control group (316%; p ≤ 0.001); inconclusive results were found for DNA damage. Positive correlations were found between the cardiac frequency, ∑OHPAHs and the oxidative DNA damage of non-smoking (non-exposed and exposed) firefighters. Evidences were raised regarding the simultaneous use of these biomarkers for the surveillance of firefighters' health and to better estimate the potential short-term health risks.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Firefighters exposure to fire emissions: Impact on levels of biomarkers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and genotoxic/oxidative-effects

Oliveira

Costa

Vaz

et al. 2020

Journal of Hazardous Materials

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“…Exposure to recognized or probable carcinogens such as benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are common on the fire ground and during fire combustion [ [6] , [7] , [8] ]. Because of these factors, firefighters experience a greater risk and high proportionate mortality ratio of several forms of cancer such as malignant melanoma and multiple myeloma [ 5 , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cancer Perceptions Among Smokeless Tobacco Users: A Qualitative Study of US Firefighters

Jitnarin¹,

Poston²,

Jahnke³

et al. 2020

Safety and Health at Work

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Background Prevalence rates of smokeless tobacco (SLT) use among firefighters are remarkably high and substantially higher than similar occupational groups and the general U.S. population. The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives of fire service personnel regarding cancer and its associations with tobacco and SLT use. Methods This descriptive study used a qualitative approach. Key informant interviews were conducted in 39 career firefighters and fire service administration from across the U.S. Discussion were recorded, transcribed verbatim and transferred to NVivo software for narrative analysis. Topics explored included cancer perceptions, attitudes and beliefs, and cultural factors related to SLT use behaviors. Results: Major themes that emerged among fire service personnel included concerns about cancer and its risk factors including firefighting tasks, such as fire overhaul operations, and from their lifestyle behaviors, such as alcohol and tobacco use. Firefighters also suggested a number of reasons for their increased SLT use, such as fire department tobacco-free policy and fire service culture. Conclusion The current study provides a rich foundation for future research, prevention, and intervention efforts for the fire service and research communities regarding tobacco and SLT use and cancer risk. Additional research on firefighters' cancer beliefs deserves future research in order to improve messaging about the risks of cancer due to firefighting.

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“…Firefighters could also be exposed to chemical carcinogens during training fires. A recent study found a dose-response relationship between estimated exposures from training fires and cancer incidence at a fire training college in Australia ( Glass et al, 2016 ). The high exposure group at the fire training college had increased risk of all cancers, testicular cancer, and melanoma compared to the general population.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Firefighters' and instructors’ absorption of PAHs and benzene during training exercises

Fent

Toennis

Sammons

et al. 2019

International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health

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Mortality and cancer incidence at a fire training college

Cited by 23 publications

References 20 publications

Firefighters exposure to fire emissions: Impact on levels of biomarkers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and genotoxic/oxidative-effects

Firefighters exposure to fire emissions: Impact on levels of biomarkers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and genotoxic/oxidative-effects

Cancer Perceptions Among Smokeless Tobacco Users: A Qualitative Study of US Firefighters

Firefighters' and instructors’ absorption of PAHs and benzene during training exercises

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