A cross‐sectional survey of occupational history as a wildland firefighter and health

Semmens, Erin O.; Domitrovich, Joseph W.; Conway, Kathrene; Noonan, Curtis W.

doi:10.1002/ajim.22566

Cited by 33 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 24 publications

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“…Almost one-third of respondents reported psychological morbidity 7 years after the Ash Wednesday fire [19]. In contrast, a recent moderatequality cross-sectional survey of U.S. wildland firefighters found no relationship between the number of years worked as a wildland firefighter and the risk of depression [28].…”

Section: Respiratory Morbiditymentioning

confidence: 88%

“…The authors adjusted for age, sex, race, and household income. The authors did not find any association between the length of wildland firefighting career and hypercholesterolemia, although the p-value of 0.065 may be suggestive of a trend [28]. In a third cross-sectional survey of 272 firefighters and police officers who responded to the 2010 Carmel Forest fire disaster in Israel, 19% of respondents reported experiencing chest pain during the fire response.…”

Section: Cardiovascular Morbiditymentioning

confidence: 88%

“…They found that the more complex the fire, based on the peak incident management level assigned by the responding agency, the fewer injuries per 10 000 person-days were sustained: the mean rate of injury per 10 000 person-days was 3.6 (SD = 5.35) for type I fires (the most complex), 11.7 (SD = 30.1) for type II fires (moderately complex), and 15.2 (SD = 56.9) for type III fires (the least complex) (p < 0.001) [35]. A recent, moderate-quality cross-sectional survey of U.S. wildland firefighters found no relationship between the number of years worked as a wildland firefighter and the risk of arthritis [28].…”

Section: Injuries and Musculoskeletal Morbiditymentioning

confidence: 92%

“…A recent cross-sectional survey of U.S. wildland firefighters found that the self-reported prevalence of all cancer types was < 1% in survey respondents, with the exception of basal cell cancer (3%) and squamous cell cancer (SCC) (2%). The study authors did not comment on the relationship between cancer prevalence and years worked as a wildland firefighter [28]. Also a case report regarding a 65-year-old man with a history of over 30 SCCs of the lower extremities was identified.…”

Section: Cancer Morbiditymentioning

confidence: 95%

“…While wearing a respirator reduces the incidence of respiratory symptoms [27,40] and the decline in lung function [40], wearing a cotton bandana does not [44]. Gaughan et al also found that the number of days spent fighting fires throughout one's career was significantly associated with more upper respiratory symptoms [37], while a crosssectional survey of U.S. wildland firefighters found no association between self-reported asthma and the number of years worked [28].…”

Section: Respiratory Morbiditymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

A systematic review of the health impacts of occupational exposure to wildland fires

Groot¹,

Caturay²,

Khan³

et al. 2019

Int J Occup Med Environ Health

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The aim of the paper is to summarize the evidence of health impacts of occupational exposure to wildland fires. The authors searched 3 databases for relevant articles and screened the results. After full-text review, articles were included based on predetermined criteria. The authors identified 32 relevant articles. Occupational exposure to wildland fires affects lung function in the short term and may increase the risk of hypertension in the long term. Exposure to wildland fires is also associated with post-traumatic stress symptoms. There was insufficient evidence to comment on most longer-term risks, and in particular on respiratory disease or cancer risks. Further research is required to understand whether occupational exposure to wildland fires results in clinically significant impacts on respiratory function, and to further clarify the relationship between occupational exposure and blood pressure, mental health, and cancer outcomes.

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Section: Respiratory Morbiditymentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Cardiovascular Morbiditymentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Injuries and Musculoskeletal Morbiditymentioning

confidence: 92%

Section: Cancer Morbiditymentioning

confidence: 95%

Section: Respiratory Morbiditymentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

A systematic review of the health impacts of occupational exposure to wildland fires

Groot¹,

Caturay²,

Khan³

et al. 2019

Int J Occup Med Environ Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Social Considerations: Health, Economics, and Risk Communication

McCaffrey

Rappold

Hano

et al. 2022

Wildland Fire Smoke in the United States

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At a fundamental level, smoke from wildland fire is of scientific concern because of its potential adverse effects on human health and social well-being. Although many impacts (e.g., evacuations, property loss) occur primarily in proximity to the actual fire, smoke can end up having a significant social impact far from the source. This dynamic, combined with lengthening fire seasons, suggests that understanding how wildland fire smoke affects diverse social values will be increasingly critical. This chapter reviews the existing scientific knowledge related to wildland fire smoke with respect to four topic areas: human health, economics, social acceptability, and risk communication. The broadest existing knowledge base, regarding the health effects attributed to wildland fire smoke exposure, stems from decades of research on the health effects of exposures to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Despite the potential consequences, scientific knowledge about chronic health effects, economic impacts, and effectiveness of protective actions in response to wildfire smoke risk communication is fairly limited. The chapter concludes with identification of (1) key areas where the need for more empirical information is most critical, and (2) challenges that inhibit an improved scientific understanding.

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Wildland Firefighters: A Crucial Weapon for Forest Fire Management. Which Health Risks Do They Face?

Esteves,

Madureira,

Teixeira

et al. 2024

Fire Hazards: Socio-Economic and Regional Issues

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Fire when uncontrolled can become a destructive force that risks wildlife, property, and human lives. Global warming has contributed to the increase and severity of wildfires in the last decades, requiring greater political and local authority involvement to protect people. Wildland firefighters are an essential tool for the management of any forest fire. However, they face unique occupational risks characterized by physically demanding tasks, long hours in severe conditions, and exposure to various health risks (e.g., burning, fractures, smoke inhalation), including exposure to carcinogenic pollutants emitted from smoke. These pollutants, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and volatile organic compounds, can cause acute adverse health effects but also long-term effects, such as cancer. Yet, evidence linking wildland firefighters’ occupational exposure and health outcomes is limited. The increasing risk of wildfire occurrences and longer fire seasons highlight the need for occupational studies among these professionals commonly exposed to hazardous pollutants. Scientific evidence has contributed to the establishment of measures related to firefighters’ health promotion. Regular monitoring, surveillance and health promotion activities, innovative firefighting techniques, safer personal protective equipment, and the implementation of written policies and procedures, such as decontaminating fire station equipment and spaces, are crucial to reduce firefighters’ adverse health effects.

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A cross‐sectional survey of occupational history as a wildland firefighter and health

Abstract: We observed significant links between a greater number of years as a WLFF and self-report of two subclinical cardiovascular risk factors as well as markers of musculoskeletal health. Additional studies are needed to determine if findings can be generalized to all WLFFs.

Cited by 33 publications

References 24 publications

A systematic review of the health impacts of occupational exposure to wildland fires

A systematic review of the health impacts of occupational exposure to wildland fires

Social Considerations: Health, Economics, and Risk Communication

Wildland Firefighters: A Crucial Weapon for Forest Fire Management. Which Health Risks Do They Face?

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