BACKGROUND FACTS & HISTORY
Fire Fighters face a wide variety of hazards while carrying out the occupational requirement of saving lives and reducing property damage.Fire Fighters are regularly exposed to burning chemicals and other toxins. There are 70,000 toxic substances on file with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States. In reality, when these substances burn together, there are 70 million possible combinations that are created in a fire. Fire Fighters routinely endure exposure to these burning toxins in the course of protecting the lives and property of their fellow citizens.
It is fact that even with the best respiratory practices and protective equipment the exposures will continue to occur due to absorption through the skin once a fire fighter has become soaked during fire suppression activities. Furthermore, the concentration of chemicals in today’s materials is much higher than in the past due to the increased use of composite materials.Many studies have revealed an increased rate of disease in the Fire Fighter population versus the general population. A 1990 study of Houston fire fighters indicated that Parkinsonism was significantly more common in fire fighters than in the general population. This was demonstrated by a finding of 3-4 cases per 1,000 in the general population compared to 30 Parkinson's cases per 1,000 firefighters.
It is fact that even with the best respiratory practices and protective equipment the exposures will continue to occur due to absorption through the skin once a fire fighter has become soaked during fire suppression activities. Furthermore, the concentration of chemicals in today’s materials is much higher than in the past due to the increased use of composite materials.Many studies have revealed an increased rate of disease in the Fire Fighter population versus the general population. A 1990 study of Houston fire fighters indicated that Parkinsonism was significantly more common in fire fighters than in the general population. This was demonstrated by a finding of 3-4 cases per 1,000 in the general population compared to 30 Parkinson's cases per 1,000 firefighters.
Identify potential occupational risk factors, this study examined the occupational occurrence of various neurodegenerative diseases.
METHODS: Death certificates from 27 states in the National Occupational Mortality Surveillance System were evaluated for 1982 to 1991. Proportionate mortality ratios were calculated by occupation for presenile dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and motor neuron disease.
RESULTS: Excess mortality was observed for all four categories in the following occupational categories: Early death from motor neuron disease was found for firefighters and military Personnel.
CONCLUSIONS: Neurodegenerative disease occurs more frequently in some occupations than in others, and this distribution, which may indicate occupational risk factors, should be further investigated.
Minerbo GM, Jankovic J. Prevalence of Parkinson's disease among firefighters. Presented at the 42nd Annual Meeting of the AAN, Miami, 5/4/90, Neurology (Suppl. 1) 1990;40:348.
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