It is no secret that firefighters are subjected to a number of work-related hazards. Fighting back flames and putting up with excessive heat and the dangers of smoke inhalation are business-as-usual when it comes to protecting our nation's buildings and citizens.
However, long after the fires have been put out, health concerns related to fighting fires remain in the form of asbestos inhalation. Many firefighters are unaware of their heightened risk for asbestos exposure. Though not as visible or immediate a danger as the fire itself, excessive exposure to asbestos can also be deadly.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring fiber that has been used extensively as an insulation product within buildings, homes and other structures. Both during and after a building fire, asbestos fibers can be released into the air and inhaled into the lungs. Over time, these asbestos fibers may cause scarring along the lung walls that may eventually result in mesothelioma – a type of cancer with no known cure.
Due to the increased probability of asbestos exposure to firefighters, experts recommend that firefighters be aware of potential health problems and take steps to minimize asbestos exposure.
The website MesotheliomaWeb.org offers a central asbestos resource for firefighters.
The series of articles are collected under the title, What Every Firefighter Should Know About Asbestos, and serves as a one-stop location for educating firefighters and those concerned about them to the dangers of asbestos exposure.
Topics covered include a definition of asbestos, how asbestos has been used in commercial products over the years, risks of exposure and how firefighters can be exposed.
The MesotheliomaWeb firefighter resource also touches on the Sept 11, 2001 catastrophe, and how thousands of first responders inhaled a noxious mixture of asbestos, mercury, lead and other heavy metals during clean up and search-and-rescue operations. A 2006 study suggests that 70 percent of all first responders to the Seot 1 catastrophe suffered from respiratory problems following the event.
For a condensed version of the extensive firefighter education resource, MesotheliomaWeb also provides a Firefighter FAQs on Asbestos. This condensed information sheet answers the most pertinent questions related to asbestos as they pertain to firefighters.
In addition to detailing the dangers of asbestos exposure, MesotheliomaWeb also provides details on how firefighters can take steps to improve safety measures within their fire stations.
To learn more about firefighter safety as it pertains to asbestos and mesothelioma, please visit MesotheliomaWeb. News articles relating to firefighters and asbestos are also available.
For more information, visit
http://www.mesotheliomaweb.org/firesection1.htm
