Firefighters in London continue to face exposure to hazardous
fire contaminants and face a higher chance of diagnosing with
cancer, despite growing culture shift across the London Fire
Brigade (LFB) and improvements in policy.
A new report from the London Assembly Fire
Committee – Exposure to fire contaminants in London:
A hidden, growing risk? – finds that firefighters in London
may be routinely exposed to toxic substances released during
fires, including known carcinogens such as asbestos, heavy metals
and persistent organic pollutants. While definitive UK evidence
on cancer causation is still emerging, research presented to the
Committee shows higher cancer incidence and
abnormal tumour markers among firefighters compared with the
general population.
According to FBU (Fire Brigade Union) commissioned Research, 4%
of firefighters surveyed (around 1 in 25) reported having been
diagnosed with cancer, based on a self-reported survey of more
than 11,000 firefighters. The highest prevalence was among those
aged 35–39, around three times higher than the general
population. Researchers also found that 10–15% had
abnormal tumour markers, compared with a control group from the
general public.[1]
The Committee found LFB's Fire Contaminants Policy has helped to
drive a clear cultural shift away from the “badge of honour” of
dirty kit. Yet, longstanding challenges around PPE and older
station designs are contributing to wide variation in how the
policy is applied in practice.
To address this, the Committee calls on the Government and the
National Fire Chiefs Council to take action to better understand
and reduce firefighters' exposure to fire contaminants. Key
recommendations include establishing a UK-wide firefighter
exposure and health monitoring programme and
piloting exposure monitoring for operational firefighters in
London.
Other recommendations in the report include:
- strengthening training, assurance and compliance with fire
contaminants policies
- improving PPE availability and future-proofing procurement
- embedding health promotion and preventative support within
occupational health provision
- calling on the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council to review
evidence on cancer risks linked to firefighting
Chair of the London Assembly Fire Committee, AM, said:
“Fires don't end when the flames are out as toxic
contaminants can remain long afterward. Firefighters accept risk
as part of the job, but exposure to toxic chemicals should not be
an unavoidable consequence of protecting the public.”
“While London Fire Brigade has made real progress, this
report shows more needs to be done to understand and reduce the
long-term health risks firefighters face.”
Notes for editors:
