A firefighter continuously puts his or her life on the line, exposed to dangerous fire-related situations on a regular basis. However, firefighters have long faced a less apparent danger while on the job – exposure to asbestos. For decades, asbestos was used in the construction industry in materials that could be found in both residential and commercial buildings. When asbestos is damaged in a fire, the potential for inhalation of dangerous fibers and the development of diseases like pleural mesothelioma becomes very real.
The construction industry embraced the use of asbestos from the 1920s until the material was largely banned in the late 1970s. Because this naturally-mined material exhibits excellent heat and fire resistance, it seemed the ideal mineral for inclusion in hundreds of construction-related products including:
Many of our nation’s homes, offices, schools and other buildings still contain asbestos. If a fire occurs in these structures, any asbestos-containing materials may become damaged and can release dangerous airborne fibers. Firefighters who are not properly protected may inhale these fibers, which can result in the later development of asbestos-related diseases like asbestosis or pleural mesothelioma.
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to know whether or not a particular building contains asbestos as there are no obvious signs, especially from the exterior. So when a firefighter punches through a wall or tears down a ceiling, inhalation may occur, especially where older buildings are concerned.
Additionally, firefighters may be exposed to asbestos during routine training exercises. Because fire training often occurs in older buildings that may be condemned or scheduled for demolition, asbestos is frequently present. Instances where firefighters have been exposed to asbestos during training have been reported in a number of locales, prompting the need for better monitoring of training locations.
During the years when asbestos was in regular use, its fire-resistant properties and durability made it ideal for use in protective clothing worn by firefighters. The mineral was used to make coats, gloves, pants and other clothing firefighters wore to prevent accidents. However, these items were putting them at an even higher risk for developing pleural mesothelioma. Though firefighter clothing now contains little to no asbestos, individuals who served as firefighters prior to the late 1970s may have worn this toxic clothing.
Furthermore, firefighters who brought their clothes home to be washed after a fire may have even exposed their family to these same dangerous fibers. Cases of second-hand exposure and the development of pleural mesothelioma among those who washed asbestos-laden clothes or equipment are not uncommon.
It’s essential that firefighters do everything possible to reduce their risk of exposure to asbestos. Wearing respirators with approved HEPA filters when fighting fires or participating in practice exercises is important and fire officials should conduct regular inspections of training facilities in order to identify any dangerous asbestos on site.
To further lessen the likelihood of developing pleural mesothelioma, all clothing and equipment used during the fighting of a fire or for after-fire overhaul or inspection should not be worn away from the site of the blaze and should be cleaned in an area where the fibers cannot affect others.
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