Abstract
Cancer incidence appears to be higher amongst firefighters compared to the general population. Given that many cancers have an environmental component, their occupational exposure to products of carbon combustion such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is of concern. This is the first UK study identifying firefighters exposure to PAH carcinogens. Wipe samples were collected from skin (jaw, neck, hands), personal protective equipment of firefighters, and work environment (offices, fire stations and engines) in two UK Fire and Rescue Service Stations. Levels of 16 US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) PAHs were quantified together with more potent carcinogens: 7,12-dimethylbenzo[a]anthracene, and 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MCA) (12 months post-initial testing). Cancer slope factors, used to estimate cancer risk, indicate a markedly elevated risk. PAH carcinogens including benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), 3-MCA, and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene PAHs were determined on body surfaces (e.g., hands, throat), on PPE including helmets and clothing, and on work surfaces. The main exposure route would appear to be via skin absorption. These results suggest an urgent need to monitor exposures to firefighters in their occupational setting and conduct long-term follow-up regarding their health status.
Highlights
The main consensus of such studies show that the incidence of cancer is higher amongst firefighters than the populations they serve despite the health benefits of their superior physical fitness[1,2,3]
A general polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) increase in the post-exposure of firefighter training was identified in other studies, with the highest increase on the SCBA7,10, PAHs were identified on the inner surfaces of the protective equipment (PPE) even when firefighters wore a full set of PPE11
Skin, clothing and other sample locations were identified based on previously published resources[6,13,17,18,19,20,21]. The focus of these studies was on 16 standard EPA PAHs. Only those listed as group 1 or 2 according International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are presented
Summary
The main consensus of such studies show that the incidence of cancer is higher amongst firefighters than the populations they serve despite the health benefits of their superior physical fitness[1,2,3]. A meta-analysis of 32 studies published in 2006 showed increasing summary risk estimates for multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, prostate cancer and testicular cancer with eight other cancers having a possible association with firefighting[1]. A similar study of 16,422 Nordic firefighters showed an increased risk of prostate cancer, skin melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer, multiple myeloma and adenocarcinoma of the lung, as well as mesothelioma[4]. The neck is to be found the primary site of dermal exposure and the PPE hood only provides minimal protection[8] When firefighters remove their PPE, dermal and inhalation exposure still exists through contact with contaminants. Selected PAHs studied in this work, their exposure limits (TEFs, inhalation unit risks) together with their toxic effect on humans is presented in Supplemental Material 114–16.
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