HEALTH HAZARDS AMONG FIRE FIGHTERS

Abstract

Background: Fire fighting is a physically demanding hazardous occupation. Fires are fought in a dynamic, changing, uncontrolled environment exposing workers to potentially toxic agents. The hazards of firefighting are classified as chemical, biological, physical, psychological and ergonomical. Objective: The aim of the present study was: (1) To investigate some of the health hazards among fire fighters with special emphasis on cytogenetic study and ventilatory functions. (2) To monitor the biological, psychological, reproductive and musculo-skeletal hazards. Subjects andmethodology: This study was conducted in a fire fighting station in El Omrania ElSharkia in Giza. The study was accomplished during the month of March 2007. The studied group comprised 24 workers in the fire fighting station. They were adult men aged between 18-33 years (23.20 ± 4.09), working on the basis of 12 hours/day with no day off. None of the workers used any protective equipment during working hours. They worked according to the need for help, and not all the time, bearing in mind that the worker may be exposed to frequent shifts or may be not exposed for several days.A referent group of 20 males matched for age [that ranged from 21-35 yrs., (23.40 ±4.05) ] , sex, socio-economic status and smoking habit , selected from relatives of the Kasr El Eini hospital patients, were also enrolled in our study. The following investigations were performed after taking individual consent: (A) All workers were interviewedusing a special questionnaire including occupational history; and full clinical examination was performed. (B) Ventilatory function tests were evaluated using aportable spirometer connected to a portable computer using the soft ware ZAN program,measuring FVC (Forced vital capacity), SVC (Slow vital capacity), FEV1%(Forced expiratory volume in the 1st second), FEV1/FVC %, PEF (Peak expiratoryflow) and (Mid expiratory flow 25-75%) MEF 25-75%. (C) Serological tests: a-HBV: Using enzyme linked immuo-sorbent assay (ELISA) HBsAg using BIORADMonolisa HBsAg ultra , Lot 7C0029 Monoclonal kit. b-HCV: Anti HCV using 3rdgeneration enzyme linked immuno sorbent-assay (ELISA) Innotest HCV Abs, Lot 165678. (D) Cytogenetic study Results: showed a statistically significant difference between the exposed and the control groups as regards spirometric evaluation. Ourresults revealed also a statistically significant difference between the exposed and the control groups as regards the chromosomal study, bearing in mind that the difference was in structural form not the numerical form. There was also a statistically significant difference between both groups as regards the occurrence of accidents, but there was no statistically significant difference between both groups as regards the psychological or reproductive hazards. Our research showed a statistically significant difference between the exposed and the control groups as regards HBV and HCV infections.Our results showed that there was a statistically significant correlation between the duration of exposure to toxins and hazardous agents in fire fighting and ventilatory function parameters. Our work illustrated that there was a statistically significant correlation between duration of exposure to toxins and hazardous agents in fire fighting and the appearance of gap and unbalanced re-arrangement in the romosomalstudy, but there was no statistically significant correlation as regards the rest of thechromosomal study. We emonstrated also that there was no statistically significantcorrelation between the age of the workers and the chromosomal aberrations. Recommendations:From the present study we recommend pre-employment and eriodicmedical examinations that should be performed to exclude those susceptible to lung diseases. Personal protective clothes and respiratory protective equipment should be used by fire fighters. Health education programs of workers about hazards of exposure to harmful agents and proper measures for protection is essential and this includestraining programs to raise awareness among fire fighters. Vaccination program should be applied to cover all the fire fighters specially against (HBV) . Rapid prophylactic treatment to injured workers and reporting system is mandatory. Finally follow recommended shift work pattern.