Studies on the Increase in Cancer Rates
Studies by health professions have indicated that there is an increase in the rate of cancer-related to oral, primary digestion, urinary, and respiratory systems. Among the most common cancer-causing agents include asbestos, arsenic, formaldehyde, soot, and diesel engine exhaust. Most of these carcinogenic agents are mostly found in drugs, building materials, or diesel engine exhaust (Baxter et al., 2014). Long-term exposure to these agents leads to bio-amplification of the agents that later lead to cancer.
Risks and Preventive Measures for Firefighters
Research on firefighters has shown that there is an increase in deaths relating to heart attack and cancer; this has indicated the need to develop approaches to be used in limiting exposure. To prevent increased cases of cancer, firefighters should be made aware of the level of modifiable or preventable risk (Miranda et al., 2012). There is a need to modify exercise, weight, dietary, and other factors that play a significant role in maintaining a healthy life. There is also a need to modify personal behaviors that can be used in reducing exposure to carcinogenic agents.
Personal Decontamination for Firefighters' Safety
The best way to prevent exposure to carcinogenic agents is by maintaining personal decontamination. It is necessary for firefighters to remove attire that they have been using while performing their duties and make sure that they wash their hands before eating to prevent contamination. Firefighters should not be allowed to access places where food or beverages are kept. Turnout gears should be removed and laundered, therefore, indicating the necessity for them to have different sets of gear. For the gears to be reused, it is essential for them to be laundered and completely dried. It is also necessary to maintain personal decontamination; they should take a bath and make sure that the clothes have been cleaned as soon as they have used them in their workplace.
Environmental Monitoring and Carcinogenic Agents
Environmental monitoring should also be maintained over a considerable duration. Levels of carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulfide, and low oxygen levels should always be monitored. Exposure to volatile organic compounds and other carcinogenic agents either on short time or long-term durations can be extremely hazardous. Through screening of the environment should be made to ensure that there is no any error in analysis. It should be done in such a way that any traces of carcinogenic agents have been detected. It is also necessary to consult educational seminars to educate fire departments on the proper screening and care for their structural PPE.
Monitoring Human Exposure to Carcinogens
The rate at which humans expose themselves to carcinogens should carefully be monitored. The main problem with screening individuals who have been exposed to carcinogens is that in various conditions, it is difficult to know what compounds the firefighters have been exposed to. Making a medical diagnosis is difficult since screening all carcinogenic agents is a complicated process. To make sure that firefighters have been protected from such agents, they should be exposed to specific diagnosis; making sure that NFPA guidance has been followed and screening them from particular exposures. Having an occupational medical physician with extensive knowledge of firefighter's exposures is also necessary. Firefighters who have gone through a specific exposure may benefit from screening routines that are more aggressive. This can aid in preventing more increased risks for prostate and colon cancer (Laitinen et al., 2012). By making sure that they have made a personal appointment with a personal and occupational physician will aid in determining environmental and personal risk factors that can be used in determining the required intervals that an individual can be exposed to cancer screening.
Reference
Baxter, C. S., Hoffman, J. D., Knipp, M. J., Reponen, T., & Haynes, E. N. (2014). Exposure of firefighters to particulates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene, 11(7), D85-D91.
Laitinen, J., Mäkelä, M., Mikkola, J., & Huttu, I. (2012). Firefighters’ multiple exposure assessments in practice. Toxicology letters, 213(1), 129-133.
Miranda, A. I., Martins, V., Cascão, P., Amorim, J. H., Valente, J., Borrego, C., ... & Ottmar, R. (2012). Wildland smoke exposure values and exhaled breath indicators in firefighters. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A, 75(13-15), 831-843.
