Corridor 9

Over the past few weeks I’ve been thinking a lot about my health. I’ve known for quite a while that I was overweight and am in a constant battle to lose weight. Work has implemented a physical fitness program lately that has helped me toward lowering my weight and thereby lowering some of the negative health effects caused by that weight. This in turn lowers my risk for heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other problems.

However, something hit me today as I was getting on the truck; almost like a cloud settling over me. I’m exposed to something every day for which I have no defense. I’m exposed to Sulfur Dioxide, Arsenic, Benzene, Formaldehyde, Mercury compounds, and Cyanide just by walking into the station¹. All deadly chemicals, yet inescapable in my work environment. Keep in mind that these are the same chemicals that we protect ourselves from during a hazardous materials incident by wearing a fully encapsulated suits and self contained breathing apparatus to prevent any contact with the chemicals.

I’m talking about diesel exhaust, a problem that is a serious issue at my department. I didn’t realize how much I was exposed to this exhaust until the main engine at my station broke down and a backup engine was brought out. This backup engine has an air leak somewhere in the system causing the truck to lose air gradually over the day. Upon starting, for daily checkout or before a run during the day, the engine has to sit and idle to build up the air pressure before the parking brake can be released. In this time a black cloud can be seen building inside the engine bay; a toxic cloud.

Risks associated with the inhalation and absorption from such a cloud of diesel fumes include: Premature Death, Lung Cancer, Heart Attacks, Testicular Cancer, Chronic Bronchitis, Neurological Damage, Liver/Kidney Damage, Aggravated Asthma, Exacerbated Allergies, and a Lower Resistance to Respiratory Infections².

It’s also a fact that firefighters today face a greater risk of developing cancer than any other profession³. Some statistics shown in a study published in the Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. 48(11):1189-1202, November 2006 by the University of Cincinnati environmental health researchers have shown that firefighter have a greater risk of cancer than any other profession in the following areas⁴:

* Testicular cancer 102%

* Multiple myeloma 53%

* Non-Hodgkin lymphoma 51%

* Skin cancer 39%

* Brain cancer 32%

* Prostate cancer 28%

* Stomach cancer 22%

* Colon cancer 21%

While I haven’t been able to find data for the U.S., statistical data for Canada shows that two out of every three firefighters will develop some form of the disease⁵. It’s so prevalent in our profession that there are even dedicated support groups. Organizations like The Firefighter Cancer Support Network, The Fire Fighter Cancer Foundation, and The Retired Professional Fire Fighters Cancer Fund are just a few that are setup to help firefighters and their family with counseling, guidance, support, and education when dealing with such an illness.

Removing these exhaust fumes is no cheap task. The most common way of removing fumes is to attach a hose to the tailpipe and pump it outside the building with powerful fans. This will allow the fumes to escape without the firefighters coming in contact with them. When the truck drives away, the hoses will disconnect from the tailpipe and recoil back so they don’t smash into the sides of the truck.

Plover Wisconsin recently had such a system installed which provides 10 exhaust ports. The cost was roughly $95,000 with a grant from FEMA ’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant providing 95% of the total cost while the city of Plover only had to provide 5%⁶. In total, Plover provided roughly $112 per firefighter on staff to protect them from all truck exhaust fumes and thus lowering their risk of cancer.

It took me a lot of thought before I decided to place this here. With many issues in my life, both personal and professional, pressing me one way or another I simply couldn’t ignore this anymore. I understand that the administration is fairly new, and I’m in no way saying that they do a poor job or that they are not looking out for our needs. They are very proactive in our safety; we’re even getting new gear to better help protect us from the hazards we face.

I understand that the cost is great. It can’t be easy trying to convince a taxpayer that they need to purchase this when they won’t see any of the benefits directly. This is especially true when you consider that 4 stations need to be fitted with this equipment. I also understand that we need other gear, trucks, and personnel. As it stands now we’re running 6 people short for the department.

However, this is one area that needs to be addressed soon. I can guarantee that many of our loved ones will thank you for it, and the money spent on this equipment now will not only save money; it will save tears, heartache, and pain.

1. http://www.losh.ucla.edu/catalog/factsheets/diesel_english.pdf [↩]
2. http://www.warddiesel.com/component/option,com_easyfaq/Itemid,55/task,cat/catid,24/#faq1 [↩]
3. http://cms.firehouse.com/web/online/News/Cancer-Risk-Twice-as-High-for-Firefighters/46$51967 [↩]
4. http://cms.firehouse.com/web/online/News/Cancer-Risk-Twice-as-High-for-Firefighters/46$51967 [↩]
5. http://www.thestar.com/News/article/194812 [↩]
6. http://www.eplover.com/fire_news.htm [↩]