By: Mary Jane Dittmar
188金宝搏是正规吗
When we say, “Firefighting is a dangerous occupation,” we are not talking just about fireground and hazardous substances dangers. We mean health dangers as well.
Senator John Kerry (D-MA) introduced the Federal Fire Fighters Fairness Act (S. 1845) in December 2001 that would make it easier for federal firefighters to prove that heart and lung disease, certain cancers, and infectious diseases are related to their firefighting job. The bill is identical to H.R. 2163, introduced in the House of Representatives in June 2001. The House version of the bill has 40 sponsors. The International Association of Fire Fighters is working with members in the Senate and the House to gain support for the legislation.1
Many municipal firefighters are already covered by similar legislation: 38 states have firefighter heart and lung presumption laws, 20 states have cancer presumption laws, and eight states recognize the connection between certain infectious diseases and firefighting and emergency medical response.
Without such legislation,firefighters and medical emergency responderswould have to prove that life-threatening ailments were incurred on the job. With presumption legislation protection, the employer would have to prove that the illness was not job-related.
Such legislation is a godsend when you find out that you have contracted a disabling or potentially life-threatening infection or disease. Horror stories abound about gravely ill and near-death firefighters and emergency medical services workers who lost their dignity, their good reputation, and their family’s financial security because their employer refused to accept that their illness was contracted on the job.
悲剧的例子被带到国家prominence when a screening of Philadelphia (PA) Fire Department firefighters and paramedics in 1999 indicated that their incidence of hepatitis C was about three times greater than that for the general population.2[Unfortunately, few, if any, of these cases had exposure documentations on record (this issue will be taken up in a later column)].
A glimpse of what can happen if presumption legislation is not on the books was evident in Philadelphia. Paramedic Marcellus Hatcher died of hepatitis C in 1998 while awaiting a liver transplant. His widow had to wage a nasty battle (that included allegations that drinking had caused the hepatitis and not an exposure on the job) in the courts to win his pension rights.
Philadelphia Paramedic Mary Kohler, also stricken with hepatitis C, had to stage a sit-in (with a fellow firefighter), in her weakened condition, in the mayor’s office because her sick leave had been exhausted and the city would not accept that she had contracted the disease on the job. Therefore, she was ineligible for coverage by workmen’s compensation. Kohler related her personal story at FDIC 2001.
The union’s health plan was being severely strained as a result of the number of members affected and the high costs of medical treatments. Kohler’s fellow workers came to her aid. Philadelphia’s Fire Fighters Local #22 established a Sick Bank, through which Kohler was able to receive a paycheck. Union members contributed some of their sick time (8 to 16 hours); the city matched eight hours for every eight hours contributed. (Subsequently, the state of Pennsylvania has passed legislation that makes firefighters with hepatitis C eligible for coverage under workmen’s compensation insurance.)
Presumption legislation is a plus for firefighters and paramedics, no doubt. But, you still have to do your part to protect your health and interests. We’ll look at this issue next time.
Endnotes
1.国际消防人员, International Association of Fire Fighters(r), AFL-CIO, CLC, Jan.-Feb. 2002, 85:1.
2. For additional information, see “Hepatitis C and the Fire Service, Part 1, Assessing the Risk” and “…Part 2, Mounting an Offensive,” Mary Jane Dittmar,188金宝搏是正规吗, December 2000 and January 2001, respectively.
IN THE LITTLE CHANGES CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE CATEGORY
Previous columns broached ways to be “proactive” about our health. In this section, we will look at some research related to health problems that have come to be associated with firefighting and medical response that can lead us in that direction. This information is presented in the spirit of recognizing that good health is a prize to treasure and protect and that there are some things we can do to try to offset some of the negative effects the hazards of our jobs and environments may have on our health.
Prostate health: (Some research has shown that firefighters may be at risk for prostate cancer.) Various studies have found that eating foods made from processed tomatoes such as soups, sauces, ketchup, may help reduce DNA damage in prostate cells and lower levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA), the screening blood test for prostate disease.
Lycopene has been identified as the nutrient responsible for these results. Some researchers have found that lycopene can also help fight other forms of cancer and even heart disease. Additional information can be found in theJournal of the National Cancer Institute, Dec. 2001.
Did you know … ?
Eating just one additional serving of fruits or vegetables daily was found to lower the risk of heart disease by 4 percent. Spinach, kale, broccoli, oranges, and grapefruits were found to be especially beneficial. (Annals of Internal Medicine, 2001; 134:1106-1114, 1115-1119).
Information presented in this column is not to be construed as medical advice. Always consult with your physician before beginning an exercise program or taking supplements or any other substances, especially if you have been diagnosed with a medical condition or are taking medications.
Comments or ideas? What is your department’s policy concerning infectious disease and other health problems? Has your department changed menus or instituted exercise or other programs to improve members’ health? Let us hear from you. Email Mary Jane Dittmar atmaryjd@pennwell.com
