Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center
www.maacenter.org

Firefighters face a number of occupational perils, and the dangers may seem obvious: burns from a raging fire, smoke inhalation, or a fall from a ladder. There is another peril, however, that is less obvious, and that is exposure to asbestos in burning buildings. Previous exposure to asbestos is the only cause of malignant mesothelioma, a deadly type of cancer that has no cure.

Prior to asbestos-usage regulations put forth by the federal government in the 1980s, asbestos was used in the development of a variety of construction products, including attic insulation, drywall compound, acoustical plaster, stucco, roofing tiles, floor and ceiling tiles, and even certain brands of duct tape, and if a home or commercial building was built before these regulations, then there is a very good chance that it is harboring harmful levels of asbestos. In fact, over 35 million residences in the U.S. harbor asbestos-containing products. Asbestos is not dangerous until it is disturbed or damaged (perhaps from the intense heat of fire or explosion). If asbestos fibers become friable and subsequently airborne, firefighters may be at risk of inhalation. If inhaled, the small fibers, which have a claw-like composition, can situate in the mesothelium, or lining of the internal organs, for decades before an individual may begin to suffer from common mesothelioma cancer symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or chest pain.

It is imperative that firefighters understand the risks associated with asbestos exposure and take the necessary precautions. All firefighters should wear their self-contained breathing apparatus, or SCBA, during the extinguishment phase of a fire, but also after the fire is out and the rehab/overhaul stage is beginning. Many firefighters may remove their SCBA after the fire has been extinguished, but what they may not know is that cooling debris and rubble can still release asbestos fibers into the air and without an SCBA, a firefighter is at a heightened risk of inhalation. In addition, firefighters should also clean their safety equipment (including their SCBA, jackets, pants, goggles and boots) prior to leaving the scene of a fire where asbestos may have been present in an effort to avoid transfer of errant asbestos fibers to a secondary location.

Despite being absolutely avoidable if you take the appropriate safety measures, a diagnosis of mesothelioma (sometimes referred to as asbestos cancer) is essentially a death sentence. The rate of survival associated with this form of cancer is less than 1%, and the vast majority of mesothelioma patients will lose their battle with this particularly aggressive cancer in less than 2 years following their initial diagnosis. There is no known cure for mesothelioma, but there mesothelioma treatment options, including chemotherapy and radiation. The most prevalent form of mesothelioma cancer is pleural mesothelioma, which occurs in the lungs, but there are also two other forms of this disease known as peritoneal mesothelioma (occurring in the lining of the abdomen) and pericardial mesothelioma, which manifests within the lining of the heart.

If you are a firefighter who suspects that you may have been exposed to asbestos while on the job, it is advisable to consult with a doctor to determine your risk of developing mesothelioma. Please visit www.maacenter.org for additional information regarding firefighters & asbestos exposure and the related health concerns.