Mortality in police and firefighters in New Jersey

A proportionate mortality study of police and firefighters in New Jersey was conducted using the records of a comprehensive retirement system. Three reference populations were used: U.S. general population, New Jersey general population, and police as a reference group for the firefighters. Overall neither group differed from the New Jersey male population in the cause of death. Analyses by latency showed an increase in skin cancer and cirrhosis in firefighters and cirrhosis in police. With increased time from first employment, an inverse association was found between heart disease and time of first exposure. This was reflected in statistically significant increased proportionate mortality rates (PMR) for arteriosclerotic heart disease (ASHD) (ICD 410-414) for both working police (PMR = 1.15) and firefighters (PMR = 1.2). Retired police and firefighters had PMRs of 0.96 and 0.98, respectively. Firefighters had a significant increase in nonmalignant respiratory disease (PMR = 1.98) and leukemia (PMR = 2.76) when the police were used as a reference group. Potential causes of the above findings are discussed.     

Psychological Response of Firefighters to a Chemical Fire

Abstract

Samples of firefighter subjects (n = 80) and a comparison group (n = 15) were contrasted on a number of postincident psychological distress measures in the aftermath of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fire. Using a structured, self-administered questionnaire, firefighter subjects were found to be more psychologically distressed on demoralization, specific emotional distress, and perceived threat to physical health. After controlling for baseline characteristics on which subjects and the comparison group differed, these between-group effects remained significant. The three outcome scales, while correlated, measure different components of psychological distress.     

Flame-retardant contamination of firefighter personal protective clothing – A potential health risk for firefighters

There is a high incidence of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers in firefighters that may be related to their occupational exposure to hazardous substances. Exposure may result from contaminated personal protective gear, as well as from direct exposure at fire scenes. This study characterized flame-retardant contamination on firefighter personal protective clothing to assess exposure of firefighters to these chemicals. Samples from used and unused firefighter protective clothing, including gloves, hoods and a coat wristlet, were extracted with methylene chloride and analyzed by EPA method 8270D Specific Ion Method (SIM) for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Until recently PBDEs were some of the most common flame-retardant chemicals used in the US. Fifteen of the seventeen PBDEs for which analysis was performed were found on at least one clothing swatch. Every clothing sample, including an unused hood and all three layers of an unused glove, held a detectable concentration of at least one PBDE. These findings, along with previous research, suggest that firefighters are exposed to PBDE flame retardants at levels much higher than the general public. PBDEs are found widely dispersed in the environment and still persist in existing domestic materials such as clothing and furnishings. Firefighter exposure to flame retardants therefore merits further study.     

An Experimental Model of Heat Storage in Working Firefighters

Objective. Develop experimental models to study uncompensable heat stress (UCHS) in working firefighters (FFs). Methods. FFs ingested core temperature (Tc) capsules prior to performing sequential tasks in 40°C andpersonal protective ensemble (PPE), or 18°C andno PPE. Both trials were conducted in an environmental chamber with FFs using self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Results. FFs exercising in heat andPPE reproduced UCHS conditions. For every FF in both trials for whom the capsules worked, Tc was elevated, andTc_max occurred after completion of study protocol. Trials with PPE resulted in a mean maximum temperature of 38.94°C (± 0.37°C); Tc_max reached 40.4°C. Without PPE, maximum Tc averaged 37.79°C (± 0.07°C). Heat storage values ranged from 131 to 1205 kJ, averaging 578 kJ (± 151.47kJ) with PPE and210.83 kJ (± 21.77kJ) without PPE. Conclusions. An experimental model has been developed that simulates the initial phases of an interior fire attack to study the physiology of UCHS in FF. The hot environment andPPE increase maximum Tc andheat storage over that due to the exertion required to perform the tasks andmay decrease time to volitional fatigue. This model will permit controlled studies to optimize work-rest cycles, rehab conditions, andphysical conditioning of FFs.     

Plasticizer Contamination of Firefighter Personal Protective Clothing – A Potential Factor in Increased Health Risks in Firefighters

Chemical exposures may be responsible for firefighters’ elevated incidences of cancer and cardiovascular disease. This study characterized semivolatile chemical contamination on firefighter personal protective clothing to assess exposure of firefighters to these chemicals. Samples from used firefighter protective clothing, including gloves, hood, and one coat wristlet, were extracted with methylene chloride and analyzed by EPA method 8270 for semivolatile contaminants, including 20 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and 6 phthalate diesters. Twenty-two of the chemicals of interest were found on at least one clothing swatch. Only di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a plasticizer, added to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to increase flexibility, was found on every swatch. DEHP concentrations were the highest of any chemical measured, and were 52 to 875 times higher than any PAH concentration measured. DEHP was also detected on most items of unused firefighter personal protective clothing, although at much lower levels. These findings suggest that firefighters are exposed to high levels of DEHP, a probable human carcinogen, and at levels much higher than PAHs, the semivolatile toxic combustion products most extensively studied historically. Firefighter exposure to DEHP and other phthalate diesters therefore merits further study.     

Incident-related stressors,locus of control,coping, and psychological distress among firefighters in Northern Ireland

This study was an investigation into the associations between incident-related stressors, locus of control, coping, and psychological distress in firefighters in Northern Ireland during the time of political violence. Among 248 male firefighters, greater psychological distress was associated with greater frequency of incident-related negative emotions, external locus of control, less task- and emotion-focused coping, and greater avoidance coping. It was also found that the frequency of exposure to incident-related stressors moderated the association between locus of control and psychological distress and that avoidance coping mediated the relationship between locus of control and psychological distress. Avoidance coping accounted for most of the explained variance in psychological distress. These results point to the potential value of coping-skills training in emergency personnel.     

Mortality in Florida professional firefighters, 1972 to 1999

BACKGROUND: Exposure to occupational hazards among firefighters may lead to increased mortality from cancer, lung, or heart disease. METHODS: Age- and gender-adjusted mortality rates of 34,796 male and 2,017 female Florida professional firefighters between 1972 and 1999 were compared with the Florida general population. RESULTS: One thousand four hundred eleven male and 38 female firefighter deaths with known causes were identified. In male firefighters, mortality due to all causes and most non-malignant diseases was significantly less than expected. There was no excess overall mortality from cancer, but excesses existed for male breast cancer [standardized mortality ratio (SMR = 7.41; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.99-18.96) and thyroid cancer (SMR = 4.82; 95% CI: 1.30-12.34)]. Mortality from bladder cancer was increased and approached statistical significance (SMR = 1.79; 95% CI: 0.98-3.00). Firefighters certified between 1972 and 1976 had excess mortality from bladder cancer (SMR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.04-3.33). Female firefighters had similar morality patterns to Florida women except for atherosclerotic heart disease (SMR = 3.85; 95% CI: 1.66-7.58). CONCLUSIONS: Excess mortality risk from bladder cancer may be related to occupational exposure during firefighting. The thyroid cancer and breast cancer risk in males, as well as the excess risk of cardiovascular disease mortality noted in females warrant further investigation.     

Prospective study of hepatic, renal, and haematological surveillance in hazardous materials firefighters

OBJECTIVES—To evaluate possible health effects related to work with hazardous materials as measured by end organ effect markers in a large cohort over about 2 years, and in a subcohort over 5 years.
METHODS—Hepatic, renal, and haematological variables were analysed from 1996-98 in hazardous materials firefighters including 288 hazardous materials technicians (81%) and 68 support workers (19%). The same end organ effect markers in a subcohort of the technicians were also analysed (n=35) from 1993-98. Support workers were considered as controls because they are also firefighters, but had a low potential exposure to hazardous materials.
RESULTS—During the study period, no serious injuries or exposures were reported. For the end organ effect markers studied, no significant differences were found between technicians and support workers at either year 1 or year 3. After adjustment for a change in laboratory, no significant longitudinal changes were found within groups for any of the markers except for creatinine which decreased for both technicians (p<0.001) and controls (p<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS—Health effects related to work are infrequent among hazardous materials technicians. Haematological, hepatic, and renal testing is not required on an annual basis and has limited use in detecting health effects in hazardous materials technicians.


Keywords: hazardous materials; firefighters; medical surveillance