Understanding the Impact of Occupational Chemical Exposure on Firefighters

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Firefighters are the first person who we think of when it comes to public safety. These individuals put their lives at stake to protect people from intense fires, chemical exposure, etc. 

Unfortunately, their long-term health is affected due to their constant exposure to toxic chemicals. Based on NFPA research, 42% of career firefighters were more likely to suffer chemical exposure. These toxic chemicals eventually lead to severe life-threatening diseases. 

In this article, we will try to understand the health impacts of chemical exposures on Firefighters. Additionally, we will also focus on the importance of monitoring and regulating chemical substances.

The Reality of Chemical Exposure in Firefighting

Firefighters get exposed to toxic smoke that contains chemicals like hydrogen cyanide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carbon monoxide during firefighting. These harmful chemicals could further lead to chronic respiratory issues like asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It could also cause certain cancers like lung cancer, Mesothelioma, Leukemia, etc. 

Researchers found that firefighters doing clamping duties were exposed to more carbon monoxide than those doing lighting duties. Firefighters performing ignition duties were exposed to more black carbon than those who didn’t.

Despite all these dangers present in toxic smoke, firefighters face another threat called aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF). 

AFFF is a fire suppressant used to combat flammable liquid fires, especially those containing gasoline and oil. This foam creates a film on the burning liquid, cuts off the oxygen supply, and cools it down to prevent re-ignition. That is how AFFF works.

However, AFFF has come under a lot of criticism of late because of the chemicals that are present in it. AFFF contains per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 

People who have been exposed to PFAS have succumbed to various health problems. Liver damage, thyroid disease, reproductive problems, high cholesterol, obesity, and cancer are some of these health issues. Moreover, North Carolina Health News reports firefighters are at higher risk of PFAS exposure as their gear ages. 

Thus, these issues are causing concern among health advocates and the firefighting community. 

In response to these significant concerns, several firefighters have filed a firefighter foam lawsuit against AFFF manufacturers. This legal movement isn’t just about seeking compensation. It’s also about raising awareness and improving safety standards.

Health Impacts of Chemical Exposure on Firefighters

Chemical exposure can have a serious health impact on firefighters, both in the immediate and long term. When it comes to the short term, firefighters could experience various acute health issues. The issues could be because of inhaling toxic smoke or coming in contact with harmful substances. 

According to TorHoerman Law, long-term exposure, particularly to PFAS present in firefighting foam, can cause testicular cancer, kidney cancer, and prostate cancer. 

Research says firefighters have a 9% higher cancer risk and a 14% higher cancer death rate than the average person. Statistics like these justify the need for better protective measures and policies to minimize firefighters’ health risks.

The Importance of Monitoring and Regulation

Fighting with chemical exposure is nothing short of battling with death. Hence there are a few safety protocols and regulations that are in place to protect firefighters. 

Fire departments train firefighters to use personal protective equipment (PPE), including self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs), flame-resistant clothing, and protective gloves. Decontamination procedures are followed so that the toxic residues are not carried back to homes or fire stations. 

Additionally, there are mandatory regular health screenings as well to monitor firefighters’ health. This will help the concerned authorities to spot early signs of symptoms or illness. 

However, there are still a lot of regulatory gaps.  The current regulations don’t account for all the hazardous chemicals firefighters face. 

For instance, there are guidelines for wearing PPE and dealing with toxic substances, but none that specifically target PFAS. Furthermore, firefighters aren’t monitored for long-term health issues which leaves a gap in addressing chronic health problems.

Therefore, it becomes important for firefighter unions, health organizations, and advocacy groups to continue supporting firefighters. These groups push for stricter regulations, better health monitoring programs, and more funding for safer firefighting. They’re important for improving safety standards and protecting firefighters.

Legal Recourse and Advocacy

Firefighters who are affected by chemical exposure have legal options like workers’ compensation and personal injury lawsuits. Several high-profile PFAS cases have resulted in significant settlements, indicating how harmful they are.

Legal advocacy promotes policy changes, resulting in stricter regulations on toxic chemicals and improved safety standards. By backing these efforts, we can improve regulations and health monitoring programs for the firefighter community.

Ultimately, firefighters are at risk of occupational chemical exposure and it needs to be addressed. Other than the existing safety measures, there needs to be strict regulations in place to fully protect firefighters from harmful chemicals like PFAS.

The success of lawsuits and advocacy efforts proves stronger protections are needed. Hence, supporting these initiatives will help firefighters work in a safer environment and get better health outcomes.