Use of SCBA in Post Fire Environments

Use of SCBA in Post Fire Environments

    The prevalence of cancer in firefighters has received a tremendous amount of well-deserved attention over the last couple of years. This may not be as new as it feels. As early as 1775, doctors in London linked cancer and chimney sweeps together.  Chimney sweeps had higher than population average rates of polyps in the nose and cancer of the scrotum.  Of course, this was in an era of common combustibles and before the advent of synthetic materials that are common today.

    Departments are acquiring a second set of PPE for each person, conducting personal decon on the scene with towelettes and even purchasing saunas, are being discussed and implemented as means to reduce exposure to carcinogenic products during suppression operations.  Use of existing SCBA during all phases of suppression, including overhaul, will act to reduce firefighters exposure risk. These health and safety improvements can be implemented immediately and are substantiated based on numerous studies conducted by multiple organizations.

    A recent nationwide Fire Service Safety Culture Survey found that less than 60% (Table 1) of firefighters acknowledge always wearing their SCBA during overhaul. A slightly higher percentage of Company Officer’s acknowledge wearing SCBA during overhaul. Let's not argue about a percentage point here or there; the goal should be 100% of firefighters and company officers wearing SCBA during overhaul.

    The need for SCBA during overhaul has been scientifically proven through several studies. Studies from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (2011), Phoenix Fire Department (2009), Underwriters Laboratory (2010) and the Illinois Fire Service Institute (2016) have all found information on the type and dangers of toxic products that remain in a post-fire atmosphere.  Benzene, chromium, formaldehyde, and aromatic hydrocarbons are a few of the chemicals that have all been found to be present in post-fire environments in levels that exceed OSHA, NIOSH and ACGIH limits.  These chemicals are in addition to asphyxiants such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and hydrogen sulfide. Irritants include ammonia, hydrogen chloride, nitrogen oxides, and phenol.  Tualatin Valley found that nitrogen dioxide, acrolein, carbon monoxide, arsenic, and mercury all exceeded IDLH levels during fires studied. There is no current field monitoring system that can screen for all of these products.  

    UL (2010) indicated that the combination of chemicals could result in health effects from synergistic effects that are impossible to identify. Long-term chronic exposure may increase cardiovascular muscle damage.  The fire fought today could contribute to the heart attack experienced in 20 years. 

    Ultrafine particulate material such as asbestos and smoke particulate was present during suppression and overhaul. Ultrafine particles are highly efficient in being deposited deep into the respiratory system. Toxic effects can be found in lung tissue, the nervous system, and internal organs. Particulates are highly persistent once inhaled and resistant to being expelled from tissue. Chronic respiratory problems have been linked to ultrafine particulate exposure.

    Phoenix Fire Department (2009) found that CO levels had no correlation, or ability, to predict the presence or concentration of other contaminants in the atmosphere. Different chemicals were present at various concentrations at different fire levels based on factors such as temperatures reached.  This variation likely resulted from the diversity of materials that were involved in combustion. Tualatin (2011) confirmed the inability of a CO as a determinate of the presence of other toxic atmospheric chemicals. CO meters cannot measure airborne particulate. Phoenix and Tualatin findings confirm that CO levels are not indicators for any other chemical or particulate found in the atmosphere.

    The Phoenix study concluded that SCBA should be utilized with CO above 150 PPM. APR’s, with the correct filters, could be considered in CO concentrations less than 150 PPM. The study also concluded that additional health-based studies would be required to confirm APR effectiveness. Given a lack of ability to determine the appropriate filter, use of SCBA would seem a more reasonable solution.

    Multiple studies have identified a range of contaminants in a post-fire environment. Asphixyants, irritants, and carcinogens have been found to be present in concentration levels up to IDLH. Each of these chemicals has the potential to cause long-term harm to respiratory, cardiovascular and dermal exposures. The combined effect of multiple chemicals, at various concentrations, coupled with current individual health states is impossible to identify.  

    Given the range of chemicals in a post-fire environment, the inability to provide detection and concentration of each, the use of SCBA throughout all phases of suppression and overhaul are justified for increased firefighter health and safety.  Is there a justification to not wear SCBA given the numerous studies conducted and consistency of conclusions? Wearing your SCBA through overhaul is one critical step that can be implemented immediately and would demonstrate your commitment to reducing cancers and other severe health impacts.    

Bibliography:

Bolstad-Johnson, D., Burgess, J., Crutchfield, C., Storment, S., Gerkin, R., Wilson, J. (2014). Characterization of Firefighter Exposures during Fire Overhaul. Retrieved on November 5, 2017, from http://tkolb.net/FireReports/2014/PhoenixFD_FireOverhaulStudy.pdf

Fabian, T., Borgerson, J., Kerber, S. (2010). Firefighter Exposure to Smoke Particulates.  Underwriter Laboratory. Project Number: 08CA31673. Retrieved on November 5, 2017, from https://ulfirefightersafety.org/assets/EMW-2007-FP-02093-cebf37283b...

Horn, G., Kerber, S., Fent, K., Fernhall, D., Smith, D. (2016). Cardiovascular & Chemical Exposure Risks in ModernFirefighting.Retrieved on November 5, 2017, from https://www.fsi.illinois.edu/documents/research/CardioChemRisksMode...

A Study on Chemicals found in the Overhaul Phase of Structure Fires using Advanced Portable Air Monitoring available for Chemical Speciation. (25 February 2011).Regional Hazardous Materials Team HM09-Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. Retrieved on November 5, 2017, from http://www.oregon.gov/osp/SFM/Documents/AirMonitoringReport.pdf

Submitted by:

Greg Benson, MPA, CFO; Fire Chief (ret.), Fox River & Countryside Fire Rescue

 Dr. Carl M. DeCarlo, EFO, MPA, MS; Battalion Chief – Training and Safety, Kingman Fire Department