A Summary of health hazard evaluations: issues related to occupational exposure to fire fighters, 1990 to 2001 ; Health hazard evaluations: issues related to occupational exposure to fire fighters, 1990 to 2001 ; Issues related to occupational exposure to fire fighters, 1990 to 2001

"This document contains a summary of 30 Health Hazard Evaluations (HHEs) related to fire fighting that involved a site visit between 1990 and 2001, categorized by the focus. Of the 30 HHEs, 7 were related to respiratory health effects and safety and health programs and procedures, 8 to diesel exhaust, 5 to forest fire fighting, 6 to chemical fires, 2 to communicable diseases, 1 to arsenic poisoning, and 1 to inspecting fire scenes at buildings with chromated copper arsenic (CCA)-treated lumber . none were related to noise exposure"--P. iii. ; "Fire fighting continues to be one of the more hazardous industries in this country. l The occupational environment for fire fighters is somewhat unique: exposures are varied, often high, and intermittent. They occur in circumstances of extreme physical and mental stress where the only means of exposure control is self- contained breathing apparatus (5CBAs). Exposures can include smoke and particulate matter, carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (N02), hydrogen chloride, hydrogen cyanide, sulfur dioxide (502) / sulfuric acid, acrolein, formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, benzene and many other organic chemicals, and any chemicals that might be located at the fire scene. . Many of these exposures cause acute effects, but others may cause chronic effects, such as respiratory health effects and decreased lung function from repeated smoke exposures or cancer from repeated exposures to diesel exhaust, benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), asbestos, or formaldehyde. A high potential exists for burns, acute trauma, and musculoskeletal injuries. Communicable diseases are becoming a major concern, especially blood-borne pathogens and tuberculosis (TB). Other health effects associated with fire fighters are cardio- vascular disease, reproductive hazards, hearing loss, and occupational stress. A detailed summary of these exposures and health effects can be found in Occupational Medicine: State of the Art Reviews: Fire Fighters' Safety and Health. The 30 Health Hazard ...