Firefighters and Air Quality: The Hidden Risks Beyond the Flames
We often think of firefighters as the ultimate risk-takers—charging into burning buildings while the rest of us run the other way. But what if I told you that some of the most dangerous risks they face aren’t in the fires themselves? In this conversation with Stephen Robbie Burns , Watch Manager and Operational Assets Contaminants Lead at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, and Ian Ray , a Health and Safety Advisor and retired Borough Commander at Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, we explored the unseen risks firefighters face from air quality hazards.
Risk Doesn’t End When the Fire is Out
The job of a firefighter is inherently risky. However, the dangers don’t stop when the flames are extinguished. Exposure to toxic air pollutants—both during and after a fire—poses a significant long-term health threat. Fires produce a cocktail of harmful substances, including benzene, hydrogen cyanide, and carbon monoxide, to name just a few. Even once the flames are out, lingering smoke, off-gassing materials, and contaminated equipment continue to pose exposure risks.
What’s particularly shocking is how exposure happens. It’s not just through inhalation; firefighters also absorb these harmful chemicals through their skin, particularly when their body temperature is elevated after intense physical exertion. Studies have shown that the risk of developing cancers such as prostate and bladder cancer increases significantly for those in the profession.
Firefighter Culture and Exposure Risks
Despite knowing these risks, cultural habits in the fire service often lead to avoidable exposures. Traditionally, firefighters viewed coming back from a fire covered in soot as a badge of honor. But that blackened face isn’t just a symbol of hard work—it’s a sign of hazardous contamination.
While firefighters have access to protective equipment, including breathing apparatus and particulate-filtering masks, these tools aren’t always used as much as they should be. As Ian and Robbie pointed out, there’s a tendency to avoid using certain protective gear, sometimes because it’s cumbersome, sometimes because of old habits, and sometimes just because cleaning it afterward is an added task. This mirrors past attitudes towards asbestos exposure before regulations were put in place.
The Lingering Effects of Toxic Exposure
One of the biggest issues firefighters face is post-incident exposure. After a fire is put out, they often remain at the scene for hours, investigating, checking for reignition risks, or simply waiting for the next steps. During this time, harmful chemicals continue to off-gas from burned materials. If proper decontamination isn’t carried out immediately, these toxins linger on equipment, fire trucks, and even inside fire stations.
In 2018, a study swabbed surfaces inside a fire station and found contamination levels so high that, if it had been a ship, UK regulations would have required it to be impounded. The issue doesn’t just affect firefighters—administrative staff, visiting family members, and even cleaners are exposed to these unseen dangers.
A Call for Change: Better Policies, Better Protection
The UK fire service is working on solutions. One major change is how fire engines are designed. In modern vehicles, contaminated gear is stored outside the cab, reducing exposure during transport back to the station. Some stations are also introducing decontamination protocols before firefighters enter common areas. However, not all fire services have the resources to implement these changes, meaning many firefighters are still at risk.
In countries like Canada, recruits are even encouraged to deposit sperm before starting their careers because exposure to these chemicals is known to affect fertility. This is a stark reminder that the risks extend beyond just the individuals on the front line—they impact their families and future generations.
What Needs to Happen Next?
The fire service is making strides in recognizing and mitigating these risks, but there’s still a long way to go. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation:
Culture Needs to Shift: Firefighters need to move away from outdated ‘badge of honor’ mentalities and embrace decontamination as a priority, not an afterthought.
Training and Awareness: Every firefighter should be educated on how exposure occurs and what steps they can take to minimize risk.
Better Equipment and Protocols: From redesigned fire engines to advanced wearable air quality monitors, investing in better infrastructure can make a huge difference.
Government Regulation is Needed: Unlike asbestos, which now has strict regulations, contaminants in fire services are currently only guided by best practices, not laws.
Immediate Action on Firegrounds: Simple changes—like ensuring firefighters remove contaminated gear before entering clean areas—can significantly reduce exposu
This conversation was a real eye-opener. The risks firefighters face go far beyond the immediate dangers of a burning building. If we truly value the work they do, we need to ensure they have the tools, education, and legislative support to protect their long-term health. Firefighters are risking their lives not just in the moment, but for decades after. It’s time we did something about it.
If you found this discussion insightful, be sure to check out the full episode and explore more on how air quality impacts our daily lives at Air Quality Matters.
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