Researchers in Arizona will spend the next three years tracking how exposure to certain chemicals could be linked to cancer in firefighters.
Synthetic materials found in furniture or carpeting can carry serious risks for firefighters when battling a blaze. There is still a lot that is unknown about how breathing these vapors could increase the risk of cancer, said Tucson Fire Department Captain Barrett Baker.
For that reason, the University of Arizona will be tracking the health of Tucson firefighters, including new recruits.
“We'll be getting a baseline of the recruits we have in our training academy that have never been exposed to a fire before. So I would say they are pristine for lack of a better term, and then we’re going to monitor them over a three-year period,” Baker said.
He said firefighters already take precautions to avoid dangerous chemicals, like switching equipment after a fire. This program, however, will collect health data immediately following a call, which will provide close to real-time information. The study is funded by a $1.5 million federal grant.
