Respiratory Diseases and the Fire Service - IAFF

20 Chapter 1-2 • Occupational Risks of Chest Disease in Fire Fighters
years. At the initial evaluation there was a significant increase in pulmonary
symptoms including cough, wheeze, shortness of breath and chest pain.
These symptoms with the exception of wheezing remained significantly
increased at the second evaluation. Of the cohort nine percent were told that
they had asthma and 14% bronchitis following the time of the exposure. This
was nearly significant when compared to unexposed fire fighters. 14
Sherman et al 1989: Pulmonary function and methacholine challenge
testing was completed pre- and post-shift on 18 fire fighters in Seattle. The
mean FEV1 and FEF25-75 significantly decreased. 15
Chia et al 1990: Twenty fire fighters were exposed to smoke in a smoke
chamber. Airway reactivity to inhaled histamine was measured before and
after exposure. Prior to exposure none had increased reactivity; however,
following exposure 80% of the fire fighters had increased airway reactivity.
Length of time as a fire fighter contributed to the relationship. 16
Large et al 1990: Significant declines in FEV1 and FEF25-75 were measured
in fire fighters following exposure. The other measures such as FVC also
declined however not statistically significantly. 17
Rothman et al 1991: Cross-seasonal changes in pulmonary function and
symptoms were studied in 52 wildland fire fighters. Respiratory symptoms
significantly increased from the beginning to the end of the season. Declines
in FVC and FEV1 were noted; however, they were not significant. 18
Liu et al 1992: 63 wildland fire fighters both fulltime and seasonal were
evaluated with questionnaires, spirometry and methacholine challenge
testing before and after the fire season. The individual mean FVC, FEV1 and
FEF25-75 declined significantly across the season. Airway responsiveness as
measured by the methacholine challenge test increased significantly by the
end of the fire fighting season. 19
Betchley et al 1997: Investigated the cross-shift pulmonary effects in forest
fire fighters. There was significant mean individual decline in FVC, FEV1
andFEF25-75 from pre-shift to post-shift. Declines were also seen when
comparing pre-season to post-season measurements. 20
Burgess et al 2001: The authors demonstrated acute changes in spirometry
and lung permeability following fire overhaul despite the use of full-face
cartridge respirators. 21
Mustaijbegovic et al 2001: Active fire fighters had significantly more
respiratory symptoms as compared to unexposed controls. The higher
prevalence of symptoms was related to duration of employment and smoking
status of the individual. As length of employment increased the decline
in FVC increased. Early signs of airway obstruction were observed on the
pulmonary function tests. 22
Banauch et al 2003: New York City Fire Department rescue workers
experienced massive exposure to airborne particulates at the World Trade
Center site. Aims of this longitudinal study were to (1) determine if bronchial
hyperreactivity was present, persistent, and independently associated with
exposure intensity, (2) identify objective measures shortly after the collapse
that would predict persistent hyperreactivity and a diagnosis of reactive
airways dysfunction 6 months post-collapse. A representative sample of 179