Carbon monoxide exposures in wildland firefighters in the United States and targets for exposure reduction

Semmens, Erin O.; Leary, Cindy S.; West, Molly R.; Noonan, Curtis W.; Navarro, Kathleen M.; Domitrovich, Joseph W.

doi:10.1038/s41370-021-00371-z

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 96 publications

(158 reference statements)

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“…5 In addition to PM 4 , the NTDP field research team collected 1-min breathing zone carbon monoxide measurements through real-time dosimeters on wildland firefighter study participants during this field study. 36 CO mean concentrations exceeded the National Wildfire Coordinating Group's occupational exposure limit of 16 ppm on ∼5% of samples collected. This study also found that WFF perception of smoke exposure was a strong predictor of measured CO exposure.…”

Section: ■ Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

“…Exposure to PM from smoke is one of many hazardous air contaminants inhaled by wildland firefighters . In addition to PM 4 , the NTDP field research team collected 1-min breathing zone carbon monoxide measurements through real-time dosimeters on wildland firefighter study participants during this field study . CO mean concentrations exceeded the National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s occupational exposure limit of 16 ppm on ∼5% of samples collected.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exposure to Particulate Matter and Estimation of Volatile Organic Compounds across Wildland Firefighter Job Tasks

Navarro

West

O’Dell

et al. 2021

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Wildland firefighters are exposed to smoke-containing particulate matter (PM) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) while suppressing wildfires. From 2015 to 2017, the U.S. Forest Service conducted a field study collecting breathing zone measurements of PM 4 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤4 μm) on wildland firefighters from different crew types and while performing various fire suppression tasks on wildfires. Emission ratios of VOC (parts per billion; ppb): PM 1 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter ≤1 μm; mg/m 3 ) were calculated using data from a separate field study conducted in summer 2018, the Western Wildfire Experiment for Cloud Chemistry, Aerosol Absorption, and Nitrogen (WE-CAN) Campaign. These emission ratios were used to estimate wildland firefighter exposure to acrolein, benzene, and formaldehyde. Results of this field sampling campaign reported that exposure to PM 4 and VOC varied across wildland firefighter crew type and job task. Type 1 crews had greater exposures to both PM 4 and VOCs than type 2 or type 2 initial attack crews, and wildland firefighters performing direct suppression had statistically higher exposures than those performing staging and other tasks (mean differences = 0.82 and 0.75 mg/m 3 ; 95% confidence intervals = 0.38−1.26 and 0.41−1.08 mg/m 3 , respectively). Of the 81 personal exposure samples collected, 19% of measured PM 4 exposures exceeded the recommended National Wildland Fire Coordinating Group occupational exposure limit (0.7 mg/m 3 ). Wildland fire management should continue to find strategies to reduce smoke exposures for wildland firefighters.

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Section: ■ Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 83%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exposure to Particulate Matter and Estimation of Volatile Organic Compounds across Wildland Firefighter Job Tasks

Navarro

West

O’Dell

et al. 2021

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…The workshop recommended multidisciplinary research, policy development, and communication to address hazards for those managing and fighting wildland fires as well as the general public. Semmens et al (2021) identified specific wildland firefighter tasks related to direct suppression that could be targets for intervention aimed at wildland firefighters’ perception of smoke exposure and minimizing smoke exposure.…”

Section: Results: Occupational Health Hazards and Effects Related To ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Updated assessment of occupational safety and health hazards of climate change

Schulte

Jacklitsch

Bhattacharya

et al. 2023

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

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Workers, particularly outdoor workers, are among the populations most disproportionately affected by climate-related hazards. However, scientific research and control actions to comprehensively address these hazards are notably absent. To assess this absence, a seven-category framework was developed in 2009 to characterize the scientific literature published from 1988–2008. Using this framework, a second assessment examined the literature published through 2014, and the current one examines literature from 2014–2021. The objectives were to present literature that updates the framework and related topics and increases awareness of the role of climate change in occupational safety and health. In general, there is substantial literature on worker hazards related to ambient temperatures, biological hazards, and extreme weather but less on air pollution, ultraviolet radiation, industrial transitions, and the built environment. There is growing literature on mental health and health equity issues related to climate change, but much more research is needed. The socioeconomic impacts of climate change also require more research. This study illustrates that workers are experiencing increased morbidity and mortality related to climate change. In all areas of climate-related worker risk, including geoengineering, research is needed on the causality and prevalence of hazards, along with surveillance to identify, and interventions for hazard prevention and control.

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“…For this reason, carbon monoxide inhalation is a serious health hazard for firefighters (Navarro, 2020). Fire smoke can enter the lungs, where it absorbs into the blood and reduces oxygen delivery to vital organs (Reinhardt & Ottmar, 2004;Semmens et al, 2021).…”

Section: Wildfire and Human Healthmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of wildfires in a sustainable future

Sharifi¹

2022

10.5267/j.jfs

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Climate change and global warming have led to many risks and changes for the Earth, including the increase in natural fires, floods, air pollution, unusual seasons, etc. The increase in the trend of global warming may bring many countries underwater. For instance, the populous Asian nation of Bangladesh is most vulnerable to rising sea levels. It is estimated that a rise of just one meter in sea level is enough to submerge 30,000 square kilometres of the coastal areas of Bangladesh and displace 15 million people. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the effects of different factors on global warming and take possible actions to reduce the damage. Among various factors, natural fires are believed to be responsible for up to 20% of greenhouse gas production in the world. The source of 80% of fresh water in the United States is believed to be forest lands, which means the effect of natural fires can be disastrous not only for drinking water but also for aquatic habitats. In this paper, we present a survey on the impacts of forest fires on global warming.

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Carbon monoxide exposures in wildland firefighters in the United States and targets for exposure reduction

Cited by 11 publications

References 96 publications

Exposure to Particulate Matter and Estimation of Volatile Organic Compounds across Wildland Firefighter Job Tasks

Exposure to Particulate Matter and Estimation of Volatile Organic Compounds across Wildland Firefighter Job Tasks

Updated assessment of occupational safety and health hazards of climate change

The role of wildfires in a sustainable future

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