Removing turnout gear immediately after fighting a fire can greatly reduce skin absorption of cancer-causing compounds, according to a study from the University of Ottawa.
Results of the study, published in Environmental Science & Technology, were shared by the study’s lead author, Jennifer Keir, at the Firehouse event in Nashville on October 19th, 2017. For 14 months Keir and fellow researchers measured urine samples, skin, PPE and under gear of firefighters before and after fires. The researched showed that on average, exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and other organic mutagens were up to 5.3 times higher in firefighters than pre-fire levels. The research also showed a relationship between these PAH metabolite levels and the levels of PAHs on the skin of firefighters.
The research collected also revealed that air samples were 13 times higher in the trucks as firefighters returned from a fire.
Keir suggested that skin decontamination immediately after fighting a fire could be one way to help reduce firefighters’ exposure to these potentially cancer-causing compounds. Based on the results, firefighters in Ottawa have changed their decontamination procedures related to turnout gear. They are now removing all gear, including bunker gear, on the scene and bagging these clothes before returning to the station. In addition, the use of skin cleaning wipes, Keir noted, showed a 54% decrease of PHA levels on the skin.
Plymovent will continue to monitor these studies and focus on solutions to help reduce exposure to dangerous hazards that exist in the station. We encourage our fire and EMT clients to talk to us about their specific needs and concerns.
Last year, leading US firefighter advocate Billy Goldfeder wrote an article on the importance of having compatible systems among fire departments with automatic or mutual aid agreements:
Welders must be protected against hazardous welding fumes. Depending on the welding environment or how and what is welded, welders can be protected by systems for source extraction and general filtration and ventilation. Also, they can be protected by respiratory protective equipment (RPE), such as welding helmets with fresh air supply. Supplied air respirators are known to provide the best all-around protection for the welders themselves
Nowadays, everybody knows that welding fumes are very dangerous and that all kinds of protective measures should be taken and respected during work. In other blogs on this site, you can read more about those dangers and risks. But is everybody really aware of the importance of those protective measures such as PPE and local exhaust ventilation? The answers of welders themselves are surprising…
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