Evaluation of Dermal Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Fire Fighters, released by the Health Hazard Evaluation Program of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Highlights of the evaluation follow:
Procedures
– In each of two rounds, three controlled structure burns (one per day) we evaluated. Five firefighters participated in each burn.
– Sampled PAH’s, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate in air.
– Collected breath and urine samples before and after each burn. Analyzed breath samples for aromatic hydrocarbons and the urine samples for PAH breakdown products.
– Wipe samples on firefighters’ skin to measure PAH contamination before immediately after each burn.
– Measured VOC’s released from PPE before and after each burn.
– Tested the SCBA equipment make sure it functioned properly.
Findings
– Detected possible cancer-causing PAHs and VOCs in air.
– Some PAH air levels were above occupational exposure limits during overhaul.
– All VOC air levels were below occupational exposure limits during overhaul.
– Some VOCs were released from firefighters’ gear after the fire exposure. The air levels of these compounds were well below occupational exposure limits.
– The PAH levels o firefighters’ necks were highest right after the burns than before. PAHs were not found on other areas of firefighters’ skin.
– Levels of Benzene (an aromatic hydrocarbon) in firefighters’ breath were higher right after burns than before. However, firefighters did not have elevated levels of benzene breakdown products in urine samples.
– In the first round of the study, levels of PAH breakdown products were higher in urine samples collected 3 hours after the burn than in samples collected before the bun.
– The levels of PAHs and benzene in firefighters’ bodies were similar to levels in occupational groups with low exposures to these compounds.
– Most firefighters wore properly working SCBA. The PAHs and benzene likely entered their bodies through their skin.
Read the Full Study with Recommendations to prevent exposure.
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