Firefighters
It is hard enough to fight the challenges you can see. Do not let the ones you cannot see overwhelm you.
The brave men and women who risk their lives for our own safety are our first line of defense when it comes to fires and accidents but often times, it is not just the fiery blaze they must overcome. One of the potential risks for firefighters is the exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
Firefighters
It is hard enough to fight the challenges you can see. Do not let the ones you cannot see overwhelm you.
The brave men and women who risk their lives for our own safety are our first line of defense when it comes to fires and accidents but often times, it is not just the fiery blaze they must overcome. One of the potential risks for firefighters is the exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
POPs and Firefighters
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are toxic chemicals that are harmful to human health and the environment. Adverse reproductive, developmental, behavioural, neurological, endocrine, and immunological health effects have all been linked to POPs.
One of the greatest occupational risks for firefighters is the exposure to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). POPs can be inhaled from smoke emissions while extinguishing fires and the combustion of furniture, electronic devices, and other items that have been manufactured with POP elements.
The complexity of containing fires means that even the protective equipment used may contain flame retardants such as HBCD or the toxic fluorinated chemical PFOS, that can turn our heroes most vulnerable, making the battle to reduce loss of life and sickness an even more challenging one.
How Firefighters are being affected by POPs
UPOPs (unintentional POPs) can be inhaled from smoke emissions while extinguishing fires and the combustion of items manufactured with POPs chemicals. These include furniture and electronic devices. When these items are burnt, the chemicals are then distributed into the smoke, ash, dust, and debris, which can then be transferred to you.
The complexity of containing fires means that even the protective clothing used by firefighters may contain POPs flame retardants (HBCD). Additionally, long term exposure to high concentrations of aqueous film forming foams (AFFF) can affect health and the environment as these may contain PFOS, a toxic fluorinated chemical.
Danger lurks where you least expect it
Firefighters, protect yourself!
Firefighters have been shown to be at elevated risk of contracting a host of cancers after an extended period of time in the service, from respiratory and digestive cancers, to testicular, breast, and brain cancer.
Since many household items such as plastics, electronics and furniture are manufactured with POPs, the very fires that firefighters encounter have become more toxic than ever. All of these dangerous chemicals may be inhaled, consumed, or absorbed through the skin when they are burnt.
Follow these simple tips to protect yourself from POPs:
- Do not use PFOS/PFAS containing firefighting foams for training. Seek safer alternative firefighting foams.
- Store current stocks appropriately-consider Material Safety Data Sheets for guidance on secondary containment.
- Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) whenever handling equipment. Wash contaminated PPE per manufacturer’s instructions.
- Seek appropriate disposal of PFOS fire-fighting foam. Dispose of old or spent foam per manufacturer’s guidelines.
Firefighters, Reduce your exposure today!
Take a look at some of the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that can affect your health and well-being.
UPOPs (unintentional POPs) can be inhaled from smoke emissions while extinguishing fires and the combustion of items manufactured with POPs chemicals. These include furniture and electronic devices. When these items are burnt, the chemicals are then distributed into the smoke, ash, dust, and debris, which can then be transferred to you.
The complexity of containing fires means that even the protective clothing used by firefighters may contain POPs flame retardants (HBCD). Additionally, long term exposure to high concentrations of aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) can affect health and the environment as these may contain PFOS, a toxic fluorinated chemical.
Firefighters, take a look at some of the persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that can affect your health and well-being?
Contact us today
- Corporate Office: +1 868 628 8369
- Corporate Office: +1 868 628 9372
- info@bcrc-caribbean.org
- www.bcrc-caribbean.org
