火灾消防员癌症是一个伟大的关注service community. Among the contributing factors to firefighter cancer are the continual exposure to fire apparatus exhaust and the numerous carcinogens present at fire scenes. Arguably, apparatus emissions in the station are minimized through the use of ventilation systems; however, undisputed is the fact that there is no protection for the firefighters who must work on or near the fire apparatus once they arrive at an emergency scene.
Also debatable is the assumption that wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) prevents exposure to the carcinogens present at fire scenes-moreover, that is, if the PPE is continuously worn as intended throughout all phases of the incident from fire attack through salvage and overhaul and through completion of the fire reconstruction phase that determines fire origin and cause.
Thinking back to your fire behavior lessons, you will recall that the by-products of combustible materials, once heated, will decompose through pyrolysis and release carcinogens that rise until they hit the ceiling and stratify back toward the ground, or they cool and descend. Either way, the carcinogenic particles will land on your helmet, face piece, and other PPE items. The helmet, face piece, boots, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) are not as permeable as the Nomex® hood, bunker coat, and bunker pants, and they can usually be easily rendered safe through gross and technical decontamination at the scene before being placed back on the apparatus. Buddy decontamination practices should be used to make sure difficult-to-reach places are not missed. However, the more porous parts of the firefighters' PPE (hood, bunker coat, and bunker pants) that become saturated with the dangerous carcinogens should be machine washed and dried per the manufacturer's recommendations.
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