Pulmonary function and respiratory symptoms in wildland firefighters

In the US, it is estimated that there are 80,000 forest or wilderness firefighters. Wildland fires generate large quantities of particulates in the air that can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. The extent of exposure to the particulates while fighting a wildland fire depends on the size of the fire, the wind, the terrain and the methods used for putting out the fire, such as spraying with water versus setting backfires. Firefighting is physically demanding and increases the breathing rate, which in turn increases the amount of particulates that are inhaled. Wildland fires tend to burn for long periods of time and it is common for crews to work for 12 to 18 hours per day. During very large fires, camps are established near the fire and the crew is continuously exposed to smoke from the wildland fire. A study was performed to evaluate the pulmonary effects of inhaling smoke from wildland fires. The study included 52 wildland firefighters who work in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Northern California. The firefighters were between the ages of 18 and 45, and they did not smoke. Lung function was evaluated by measuring the amount of air that could be forcefully exhaled from the lungs in one second (FEV1, forced expiratory volume) and the total amount of air that could be exhaled from the lungs following a deep breath (FVC, forced vital capacity). Recent firefighting activity was associated with decreases in both FEV1 and FVC, and was associated with eye irritation, nose irritation, and wheezing. Wearing a cotton bandanna over the nose and mouth, a common practice of firefighters, did not protect against lung symptoms or declines in lung function. It is concluded that more effective methods are needed for protecting the lungs during prolonged periods of firefighting. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)