Evaluation of Interventions to Reduce Firefighter Exposures

Overview

Journal J Occup Environ Med

Specialty Environmental Health

Date 2020 Jan 25

PMID 31977921

Citations 9

Authors

Jefferey L Burgess

Christiane Hoppe-Jones

Stephanie C Griffin

Jin J Zhou

John J Gulotta

Darin D Wallentine

Paul K Moore

Eric A Valliere

Sasha R Weller

Shawn C Beitel

Leanne M Flahr

Sally R Littau

Devi Dearmon-Moore

Jing Zhai

Alesia M Jung

Fernanda Garavito

Shane A Snyder

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of firefighter exposure reduction interventions.

Methods: Fireground interventions included use of self-contained breathing apparatus by engineers, entry team wash down, contaminated equipment isolation, and personnel showering and washing of gear upon return to station. Urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites (PAH-OHs) were measured after structural fire responses before and after intervention implementation. Separately, infrared sauna use following live-fire training was compared to standard postfire care in a randomized trial.

Results: The fireground interventions significantly reduced mean total urinary postfire PAH-OHs in engineers (-40.4%, 95%CI -63.9%, -2.3%) and firefighters (-36.2%, 95%CI -56.7%, -6.0%) but not captains (-11.3% 95%CI -39.4%, 29.9%). Sauna treatment non-significantly reduced total mean PAH-OHs by -43.5% (95%CI -68.8%, 2.2%).

Conclusions: The selected fireground interventions reduced urinary PAH-OHs in engineers and firefighters. Further evaluation of infrared sauna treatment is needed.

Citing Articles

Excretion of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and AhR activation in breastmilk among firefighters.

Jung A, Beitel S, Gutenkunst S, Billheimer D, Jahnke S, Littau S Toxicol Sci. 2023; .

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Correlates of Positive Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies Among Firefighters: A Cross-Sectional-Study.

Ogunsina K, Koru-Sengul T, Rodriguez V, Caban-Martinez A, Schaefer-Solle N, Ahn S J Endocr Soc. 2022; 6(10):bvac125.

PMID: 36111276 PMC: 9469922. DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvac125.

Urinary Metabolites of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Firefighters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Hwang J, Xu C, Grunsted P, Agnew R, Malone T, Clifton S Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022; 19(14.

PMID: 35886320 PMC: 9318785. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148475.

Hierarchy of contamination control in the fire service: Review of exposure control options to reduce cancer risk.

Horn G, Fent K, Kerber S, Smith D J Occup Environ Hyg. 2022; 19(9):538-557.

PMID: 35853136 PMC: 9928012. DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2022.2100406.

Management of Firefighters' Chemical & Cardiovascular Exposure Risks on the Fireground.

Horn G, Kerber S, Fent K, Smith D Int Fire Serv J Leadersh Manag. 2022; 14:7-16.

PMID: 35673618 PMC: 9169513.

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