Evaluation of Interventions to Reduce Firefighter Exposures
Jefferey L. Burgess, Christiane Hoppe‐Jones, Stephanie Griffin, Jin Zhou, John Gulotta, Darin Wallentine, Paul Moore, Eric A. Valliere, Sasha R. Weller, Shawn C. Beitel, Leanne M. Flahr, Sally R. Littau, Devi Dearmon-Moore, Jing Zhai, Alesia M. Jung, Fernanda Garavito, Shane A. Snyder
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effectiveness of firefighter exposure reduction interventions. METHODS: Fireground interventions included use of self-contained breathing apparatus by engineers, entry team wash down, contaminated equipment isolation, and personnel showering and washing of gear upon return to station. Urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites (PAH-OHs) were measured after structural fire responses before and after intervention implementation. Separately, infrared sauna use following live-fire training was compared to standard postfire care in a randomized trial. RESULTS: The fireground interventions significantly reduced mean total urinary postfire PAH-OHs in engineers (-40.4%, 95%CI -63.9%, -2.3%) and firefighters (-36.2%, 95%CI -56.7%, -6.0%) but not captains (-11.3% 95%CI -39.4%, 29.9%). Sauna treatment non-significantly reduced total mean PAH-OHs by -43.5% (95%CI -68.8%, 2.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The selected fireground interventions reduced urinary PAH-OHs in engineers and firefighters. Further evaluation of infrared sauna treatment is needed.