Carcinogens and countermeasures at the fire scene

In the fire scene, the burning of wood, plastics, furniture, electronic products and buildings will release a large number of carcinogens (PAHs, etc.) and enter the firefighters through the respiratory system and the skin.

American scholars have discovered that the content of benzene metabolites in urine is usually three to five times that of firefighters after a fire.

US related legal support

Since the correlation between firefighters suffering from cancer and occupation has always been controversial, the states of the United States have different measures on how to protect firefighters from occupational cancer. As of 2016 , 34 states in the United States have enacted laws to provide compensation or other disability benefits for firefighters suffering from cancer during their work. However, because firefighters are required to bear the burden of proof (there must be sufficient evidence of cancer related to the occupation), these laws do not guarantee that every firefighter with cancer will benefit.

In 2017 , the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Firefighter Cancer Registration Act. The purpose of the bill is to collect information on the history of all firefighters in the country (including volunteer firefighters, retired firefighters), to register information on people diagnosed with cancer or cancer, and to analyze the relevance of cancer and firefighters' occupations through big data. Better prevention, testing and treatment.

In contrast, the U.S. charity organizations were involved earlier in the prevention and assistance of firefighters in cancer. Since 2005 , the Firefighters Cancer Support Network ( FCSN ) nonprofit has provided assistance and one-on-one guidance for thousands of cancer-threatening firefighters and their families. The FCSN also provides a wide range of firefighters’ cancer prevention knowledge and prevention training nationwide.

Fire department response

Firefighters’ high incidence of cancer has caused the fire department to attach great importance. In addition to regular medical examinations, each state’s fire department has adopted a variety of methods to prevent cancer, focusing on personal protective equipment and fire-fighting sites. Decontamination to improve the firefighter's working environment, some budget funds are more abundant fire brigade purchased a special clothes washing machine, professional decontamination agents, increase the number of spare combat clothes to ensure that firefighters as far as possible away from carcinogenic substances.

More and more firefighting departments also use firefighting management to improve the firefighters' precautionary meaning. For example, firefighters are required to wear an empty face mask and wear personal protective equipment and keep them for the first time after they reach the fire scene. The team’s personal protective equipment and on-site equipment and equipment were used for decontamination and timely shower replacement of clean clothes.

What should we do!

Perhaps the issue we are most concerned about is: What should fire fighters do?

We cannot eliminate various carcinogens from the fire scene, but we can reduce our risks and protect ourselves through some actions and habits. U.S. experts made the following suggestions:

01,

Respiratory cancer is one of the most common cancers among firefighters. Even outside the fire or during the clean-up phase, firefighters must wear air respirator to avoid inhaling all kinds of toxic gases or substances caused by fire. Reaching a fire scene and wearing an air respirator should be a habit for our firefighters!

02,

After each fire has been saved, personal protective equipment and fire-fighting equipment should be promptly cleaned.

A U.S. study found that although the use of soapy water (or similar components) for cleaning equipment or personal protective equipment can achieve a decontamination effect of 85% , it does not destroy or clarify carcinogens, and the use of chemical neutralizers can change carcinogens. Chemical properties to better eliminate the threat. The Ohio State Fire Department has also established a standard operating guideline for the prevention and treatment of cancer (using chemical neutralizers for decontamination). The purpose is to reduce the incidence of cancer among firefighters. The main contents include:

1. Every fireman must be decontaminated after the fire has been saved;

2. Whether vehicle equipment or firefighters' personal protective equipment (helmets, gloves, headgear, combat suits, combat boots, etc.) must be strictly decontaminated before leaving the fire;

3. Any equipment must be decontaminated before being put back into use;

4. After each firefighter returns to the team, he must shower and replace with new clothes for the first time.

03,

Thoroughly clean the neck, face, arms and groin after every fire treatment. These areas are filled with a large number of blood vessels and are also the places where fine particles are most likely to adsorb.

In addition, exercise, eating more vegetables, smoking cessation and other health habits will also help reduce the risk of cancer.

This article belongs to the public number [Orange singularity], reproduced for the purpose of universal fire knowledge.