Occupational Exposure of Firefighters in Non-fire Settings

Slezáková, Klára; Esteves, Filipa; Vaz, Josiana A.; Alves, Maria José; Madureira, Joana; Costa, Solange; Fernandes, Adília; Teixeira, João Paulo; Morais, Simone; Pereira, Maria do Carmo

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-12547-8_7

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 20 publications

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“…Detailed results of indoor and outdoor PM 10 and PM 2.5 levels measured in the seven fire stations were described previously by Slezakova et al [ 34 ]. Mean concentrations of indoor PM 10 ranged between 8 and 15 µg m –3 (overall mean: 10 µg m –3 ), while mean indoor PM 2.5 concentrations at each fire station ranged between 6 and 13 µg m –3 (overall mean: 8.5 µg m –3 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Firefighters’ Occupational Exposure in Preparation for Wildfire Season: Addressing Biological Impact

Esteves,

Slezakova,

Madureira

et al. 2024

Toxics

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The characterization of wildland firefighters’ occupational exposure must consider different exposures, including those at the fire station. The present study aimed to characterize the occupational exposure of 172 Northern Portuguese wildland firefighters in fire stations during the pre-wildfire season of 2021. The biological impact of estimated inhaled doses of PM10 and PM2.5 (indoor/outdoor) was accessed through a buccal micronucleus cytome (BMCyt) assay in exfoliated buccal cells of a subgroup of 80 firefighters. No significant association was found between estimated inhaled doses of PM10 and PM2.5 (mean 1.73 ± 0.43 µg kg−1 and 0.53 ± 0.21 µg kg−1, respectively) and biological endpoints. However, increased frequencies of cell death parameters were found among subjects of the Permanent Intervention Teams (full-time firefighters). The intake of nutritional supplements was associated with a significant decrease in micronucleus frequencies (i.e., DNA damage or chromosome breakage). In addition, our findings showed a significantly increased frequency of cell death endpoints (i.e., nuclear fragmentation) with coffee consumption, while daily consumption of vegetables significantly decreased it (i.e., nuclear shrinkage). Our results provide data on the occupational exposure of wildland firefighters while working in fire stations during the pre-wildfire season, providing the essential baseline for further studies throughout the wildfire season.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Firefighters’ Occupational Exposure in Preparation for Wildfire Season: Addressing Biological Impact

Esteves,

Slezakova,

Madureira

et al. 2024

Toxics

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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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Occupational Exposure of Firefighters in Non-fire Settings

Cited by 2 publications

References 20 publications

Firefighters’ Occupational Exposure in Preparation for Wildfire Season: Addressing Biological Impact

Firefighters’ Occupational Exposure in Preparation for Wildfire Season: Addressing Biological Impact

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

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