It’s no secret that firefighters put themselves at risk every day while fighting fires and saving lives. But what they may not realize is that they also put themselves at increased risk of developing mesothelioma due to exposure to asbestos in older buildings.
Mesothelioma is a rare and serious cancer caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral used in a wide variety of products, such as building and insulation materials, for its heat resistance, tensile strength and insulating properties. Mesothelioma takes 20 to 50 years to develop, and occurs in the lining of the lungs, chest, abdomen and heart.
Although asbestos exposure and inhalation may not be the most immediate danger from a fire, it should not be overlooked. It can be found in older homes (generally those built before the 1980s), in insulation, in roofing material, in siding and electrical wiring and in drywall.
The most common form of asbestos exposure for firefighters occurs when asbestos fibers are released into the air from burning or collapsing buildings. Since asbestos was most commonly used as a fire retardant, the odds that firefighters may encounter it while doing their jobs are pretty good. As a matter of fact, according to a study conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), firefighters have twice the risk of developing mesothelioma than the general public.
For that reason, asbestos awareness is particularly important for firefighters. Learning as much as possible about asbestos and how to protect against exposure and inhalation are key to reducing the risk of developing mesothelioma later in life.
Tips for Firefighters
Given the increased risk of asbestos exposure firefighters face, it is important for them to be aware of potential exposure scenarios, and to educate themselves about asbestos and protect themselves from it.
The following are some tips for firefighters to stay safe:
- Wash all clothing and equipment on scene to avoid potentially spreading asbestos elsewhere.
- Always wear a self-contained breathing apparatus to avoid inhaling microscopic asbestos particles.
- In areas of buildings where firefighters are working, wet the area down first, as this prevents asbestos particles from being released into the air.
- Learn as much as possible about what products and buildings may contain asbestos, and what asbestos looks like.
About the Mesothelioma Guide
Mesothelioma Guide is an advocate for mesothelioma patients and their families. Our mission is to guide mesothelioma patients and their loved ones toward answers, care options and free health solutions that improve their lives. Mesothelioma Guide was founded with over a decade of experience in serving the mesothelioma community and a commitment to creating a better environment for patients and family members. To better serve those in the mesothelioma community, we publish and send out a guide filled with useful health and wellness information to anyone who requests it. We create straightforward content on our website that explains mesothelioma with deeply researched information and colorful graphics. Every page is created for patients to understand more about their diagnosis. We also have on-call personnel always available to answer questions about mesothelioma or to connect patients and their family members to a specialist. Furthermore, we have a growing community on Facebook that brings patients, families and others together.
For more information, please visit us at www.mesotheliomaguide.com.
