Firefighters are at Significant Risk of Asbestos Exposure Follow Up
Posted on: September 30, 2024Firefighters are at significant risk of asbestos exposure, particularly when responding to fires in buildings and homes constructed before the 1980s. During that time, asbestos was commonly used in construction materials. When these materials burn or become disturbed in a fire, they can release asbestos fibers into the air. Firefighters inhaling or ingesting these airborne fibers face serious health risks, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other asbestos-related diseases
The health risks associated with asbestos exposure are reflected in the alarming statistics for firefighters. In 2023, occupational cancer was responsible for 72% of line-of-duty firefighter deaths, making it the leading cause of such fatalities. In the United States, there were 334,200 firefighters in 2022, many of whom are still at risk of asbestos exposure. Similar occupations, such as emergency medical technicians (EMTs), first responders, and paramedics, also face a high risk of asbestos-related diseases due to their exposure in emergency situations.