Citation

Kirk KM, Logan MB. J. Occup. Env. Hyg. 2015; 12(6): 376-383.

Affiliation

Scientific and Research Branch , Queensland Fire and Emergency Services , GPO Box 1425, Brisbane , Queensland , Australia 4001.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15459624.2015.1006638

PMID

25626009

Abstract

Firefighters may be exposed to toxic combustion products not only during firefighting operations and training, but also afterwards as a result of contact with contaminated structural firefighting ensembles. This study characterised the deposition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) onto structural firefighting ensembles and off-gassing of combustion products from ensembles after multiple exposures to hostile structural attack fire environments. A variety of PAHs were deposited onto the outer layer of structural firefighting ensembles, with no variation in deposition flux between new ensembles and already contaminated ensembles. Contaminants released from ensembles after use included volatile organic compounds, carbonyl compounds, low molecular weight PAHs, and hydrogen cyanide. Air samples collected in a similar manner after laundering of ensembles according to manufacturer specifications indicated that laundering returns off-gassing concentrations of most of the investigated compounds to pre-exposure levels. These findings suggest that contamination of firefighter protective clothing increases with use, and that storage of unlaundered structural firefighting ensembles in small, unventilated spaces immediately after use may create a source of future exposure to toxic combustion products for firefighting personnel.

Language: en