Changes In Pulmonary Function In Us Firefighters Over A 5-year Period

Abstract

Acute and chronic changes in pulmonary function have been previously reported in US firefighters. However, the majority of research on pulmonary function in US firefighters was conducted more than three decades ago. Due to the changes in the use of protective equipment and changes in materials that are burning in structure fires, it is important to examine pulmonary function in firefighters and to explore changes in pulmonary function over time. PURPOSE: To examine pulmonary function and changes in pulmonary function over a 5-year period in US firefighters. METHODS: Occupational medical exams separated by 5 years (2009-2016) were examined from a cohort of US career firefighters in Virginia (males, n=603; females, n=69). The exam results were compared to the expected changes over time based on spirometric reference equations generated from NHANES III data. Paired t-tests were used to compare observed changes between Time 1 and Time 2. One-sample t-tests were used to compare the expected with the observed change. RESULTS: There were significant decreases (p<0.001) in FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC over the 5-year period. There were significant differences (p<0.001) between observed changes in FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC and the expected changes over a 5-year period (Table). CONCLUSION: Pulmonary function declined significantly over time. The observed decreases over the 5-year period in FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC were two to four times greater than what would be expected in the general population. Increased efforts are needed to address respiratory protection for US firefighters in order to minimize their risk of pulmonary illnesses and occupational cancer. Supported by FEMA AFG Grant EMW 2017-FP-00445.Table: 5-Year Changes in Pulmonary Measurements Among US Firefighters