1. Findings from a Study of Cancer among U.S. Firefighters
In 2010, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) began a multi-year study of nearly 30,000 fire fighters from the Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Francisco Fire Departments to better understand the potential link between fire fighting and cancer.

2. The study was a joint effort led by researchers at NIOSH in collaboration with researchers at the National Cancer Institute and the University of California at Davis Department of Public Health Sciences, and supported in part by the U.S Fire Administration. This study was completed in late

3. What they found: The fire fighters studied showed higher rates of certain types of cancer than the general U.S. population.
Based on U.S. cancer rates:
Fire fighters in the study had a greater number of cancer diagnoses and cancer- related deaths. These were mostly digestive, oral, respiratory, and urinary cancers.
There were about twice as many fire fighters with malignant mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Exposure to asbestos while fire fighting is the most likely explanation for this.
There were more cases of certain cancers among younger fire fighters. For example, fire fighters in the study who were under 65 years of age had more bladder and prostate cancers than expected.

4. When comparing fire fighters in our study to each other:
The chance of lung cancer diagnosis or death increased with amount of time spent at fires.
The chance of leukemia death increased with the number of fire runs.

5. What does this mean?

6. This study provides further evidence that fire fighters are at increased risk of certain types of cancer as a result of occupational exposure. Raised awareness and exposure prevention efforts are cost-effective means to reduce occupational cancer risk. Thus, the fire service should increase efforts to educate members about safe work practices. This includes proper training, proper use of protective clothing, and proper use of approved respiratory protection during all phases of fire fighting.

7. Now that you know, what actions can you and your department take, to help prevent developing cancer?

8. Reduce the exposure to smoke
Wear SCBA during incidents and overhaul
Whenever possible work behind the nozzle spray when extinguishing fires
Work to remove exhaust from engines in the fire hall
Be aware of exhaust from apparatuses at the fire scene
Do not store turnout gear in vehicles or sleeping areas

9. Reduce the exposure to your skin
Perform gross decontamination at the scene
Shower ASAP
Use a wet wipe to remove soot from the skin ASAP at the fire scene
Ensure that your turnout gear is proper laundered after exposures

10. Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Stop using tobacco products
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
Limit processed meats
Maintain a healthy weight and be
physically active
Use sunscreen and cover areas
exposed to the sun
Get regular medical care

11. Thank you for your service!
For more information please visit:

12. References http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/firefighters/ffcanc erstudy
lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/cancer- prevention/art ?pg=2
_report_phase_one_-_august_final.pdf
/pdfs/ff-cancer-factsheet-final.pdf