By Mary Jane Dittmar
Fire Engineering/FireEngineering.com
In the aftermath of the 9-11 terrorists attacks on the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City and the resulting compromised respiratory health of many responders who were exposed to a potpourri of contaminants during the WTC firefighting and recovery operations, much attention has been directed toward the issue of responder respiratory health. Actually, firefighters’ respiratory systems are under continual assault whether in their fire stations, fighting a structural or a wildland/wildland-interface fire, responding to a haz-mat call or even to a call for some “odor” in a residence, operating at a vehicle accident scene, or while participating in various other scenarios. The dangers to which these responders are exposed exceed those faced by all who inhabit today’s world, where concerns about polluted air, land, and water are mounting daily.
Given the current state of affairs, anything we can do to protect our respiratory health, or not aggravate already compromised health, makes good health sense. Following is some information that might be helpful for developing a defense plan for your respiratory health.
The first step, of course, is to always wear full respiratory protection equipment in accordance with your department and government regulations, even when it may be “uncomfortable” and in situations where exposure potential is uncertain. Don’t remove your gear until the safety of the environment has been proven beyond a doubt.
Following are some other factors you may want to consider in your “defense” plan.
Diesel Exhaust
Exposure to diesel fumes may cause some of the following symptoms/conditions-many of which you may already be familiar: coughs and phlegm production; lightheadedness; nausea; increased susceptibility to allergens such as dust or pollen; irritated eyes, nose, and throat; Inflammation of the lungs; and increased asthma attacks (a growth in the incidence of asthma has been reported by the medical community). In addition, your resistance to respiratory infection may be lowered, and you may become more susceptible to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Of particular interest, in view of the large number of firefighters who have died suddenly over the past several years from apparent heart attacks that occurred while they were on-scene or shortly after they returned to the station or home after a response, is that exposure to diesel fumes has been associated with making blood “sticky,” thus increasing the risk for clots to form in the heart or lung. In this connection, designing and implementing research studies that can establish or disprove any connection between cardiovascular problems and these fumes may be beneficial.
“Inside” Hazards
We often tend to think we are more protected from pollutants while in our homes. But the truth is our respiratory system suffers various assaults when we are within our “castles,” and the hazards might be even be as or even more potent than those to which we are exposed on the outside.
Some of the objects that may irritate our respiratory systems include potpourri, scented candles, plug-in air fresheners, and the various sprays and scents used to make the air “cleaner smelling” and to make our houses cleaner, such as bleaches and other chemical cleaners. Alternatives to highly toxic products include natural cleaning agents such as pine oil, baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice. Also, safer, more natural, cleaning agents are becoming more prevalent in the marketplace. In New Jersey, for example, one children’s cancer hospital advertises that it has switched over to such cleaning products.
Among other hazardous substances commonly used in many of our homes are the following:
- Mothballs, which are toxic. They can be replaced with cedar chips, which are nontoxic and just as effective in repelling moths.
- Gas stoves and appliances release fumes into the air. The room where such appliances are in use should be well ventilated. The kitchen, as should laundry rooms and bathrooms, should be well ventilated. Appliances that can put fumes, moisture or lint in the air should have an outside exhaust (some building codes require this). Inadequate ventilation fosters dampness and the growth of mold, which also can cause respiratory problems for some people.
- Candles. Candles produce soot and other pollutants. If they have metal wicks, they may also release lead into the air. Some candles are made from paraffin, a petroleum-based ingredient and a recognized pollutant. Beeswax candles are a natural alternative.
- Dry cleaning. Many professional dry cleaners use a carcinogenic cleaning agent. If you must have a garment dry-cleaned, hang it outside for a while before wearing it or storing it in your closet.
- Furniture and rugs. Opt for natural versions such as all wool and silk. Avoid plastics as much as possible. Use area rugs instead of wall-to-wall
carpeting. - Teflon-coated cookware. Teflon emits toxic fumes when heated to high temperatures. Do not overheat Teflon-coated pans or leave them on the stove with nothing in them.
Installing a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in the room where you spend a great deal of time can help reduce inside pollution.
(Reference: “Archangel Health News,” Oct. 19, 2003, http://www.aomega.com/ahs/news.htm/.)
Do you have a health or safety tip or story to share? A health issue you’d like to hear more about? Contact Mary Jane Dittmar.
Mary Jane Dittmar is senior associate editor of Fire Engineering magazine and FireEngineering.com. Before joining the magazine in 1991, she served as editor of a trade magazine in the health/nutrition market and held various positions in the educational and medical advertising fields. She has a bachelor’s degree in English/journalism and a master’s degree in communication arts.
