Michelle Engelsman writes "The latest publication related to firefighters has been published by a colleague in Queensland. This study was devised by and lead by Andrew Banks from the University of Queensland.
This study showed that good hygiene measures can produce a good result and that quick showering likely supports a reduced uptake of chemicals through the skin. Good news!
In this study firefighters were exposed in a test compartment (shipping container) fire with varying burnt materials for 15 minutes, repeatedly walking between 2m from the fire to the entrance of the compartment. They stayed under the smoke layer for the duration. They had wipe samples taken from skin, and firefighters were free to shower within 10 minutes of leaving the fire. Firefighters produced a urine sample 1 hour prior to the burn, and then for 4 bladder voids post fire exposure.
Overall findings: “...in compartment burns with high concentrations of PAHs in the smoke layer, such as those created by the particleboard fires, exposure to PAHs can be observed though urinary OH-PAH metabolites. Overall, concentrations of urinary OH-PAHs were relatively low considering the potential exposure in these burns. This suggests protective equipment in combination with rapid removal of firefighting ensembles and showering are relatively effective in controlling exposure.”
Diesel pan fires didn’t not produce any significant changes in urine samples for pre and post burn. Particleboard fires produced significant increases in three metabolites for PAHs post burn. Particleboard fires also led to higher levels of PAHs being found on the skin wipes and in air samples taken.
The published paper is available for free download until December 6, 2020, so get onto it if you’re keen for a read! “Characterising the exposure of Australian firefighters to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons generated in simulated compartment fires” https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1bwWB574Pw-VQi
Michelle Engelsman
PhD Candidate - Firefighter Exposure Risks and Subsequent Reproductive Effects
BSc Chemistry (Hons), MIS
Senior Firefighter
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