Residual Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Firefighters’ Hematological Profile

Details

• Personal Author:
  Agnew RJ ; Hwang J ; VanWagoner T ; Xu C ; Xu X ; Zhu M
• Description:
  Introduction: Firefighters are exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during fire suppression, but the extent of PAH penetration through turnout gear and its impact on blood cell components remains uncertain. The main objective of this study is to investigate the residual levels of PAHs on turnout gear and skin, and to assess their potential effects on blood cell components in firefighters. We hypothesize that firefighting activities lead to increased PAH exposure, which in turn may induce alterations in blood cell composition. We also hypothesize that differences in PAH exposure and corresponding blood cell changes will be observed between volunteer and career firefighters. Methods: Forty-seven firefighters were recruited from 11 fire departments in Oklahoma. PAH levels on gear and skin were measured, and complete blood count (CBC) parameters were analyzed. Parametric and non-parametric tests were used to examine differences in PAH exposures and hematological profiles between volunteer and career firefighters and possible changes over time. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were performed to assess the relationships between PAHs and blood cells. Results: Our analysis revealed significant hematological differences between volunteer and career firefighters, with volunteers exhibiting lower aerobic capacity and higher systemic inflammation. Increased levels of specific PAHs were found on volunteers' gear post-fire. Conclusion: Our findings indicate an association between PAH exposure and changes in blood parameters, emphasizing the need for improved decontamination protocols and protective measures, particularly for volunteer firefighters. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Blood Firefighters Hematologic Tests Hydrocarbons Occupational Health Personal Protective Equipment Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Safety Skin
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Firefighters Blood Cells Dermal Exposures Fire Fighters Fire Smoke Hematology Occupational Exposure PAHs Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Protective Equipment Skin Exposure Turnout Gear

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• ISSN:
  2813-558X
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Oklahoma ; OSHA Region 6 ; Texas
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  3
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20069972
• Citation:
  Front Environ Health 2024 May; 3:1381159
• Contact Point Address:
  Jooyeon Hwang, Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
• Email:
  jooyeon.hwang@uth.tmc.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2024
• Performing Organization:
  University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20200901
• Source Full Name:
  Frontiers in Environmental Health
• End Date:
  20210831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:dc3d90fdd3436e2ead7fc8481d3e43471ca550fd5099c2ef3d641a9a285ee83442dde172358ec50124e3d5a6c18d6606717a67340cadc17c840c0672b6eba009
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/208286/cdc_208286_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 15.45 MB ]