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Health Risks of Structural Firefighters from Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

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  • Jooyeon Hwang

    (Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA)

  • Chao Xu

    (Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA)

  • Robert J. Agnew

    (Fire Protection & Safety Engineering Technology Program, College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA)

  • Shari Clifton

    (Department of Health Sciences Library and Information Management, Graduate College, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA)

  • Tara R. Malone

    (Department of Health Sciences Library and Information Management, Graduate College, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, USA)

Abstract

Firefighters have an elevated risk of cancer, which is suspected to be caused by occupational and environmental exposure to fire smoke. Among many substances from fire smoke contaminants, one potential source of toxic exposure is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). The goal of this paper is to identify the association between PAH exposure levels and contributing risk factors to derive best estimates of the effects of exposure on structural firefighters’ working environment in fire. We surveyed four databases (Embase, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science) for this systematic literature review. Generic inverse variance method for random effects meta-analysis was applied for two exposure routes—dermal and inhalation. In dermal, the neck showed the highest dermal exposure increased after the fire activity. In inhalation, the meta-regression confirmed statistically significant increases in PAH concentrations for longer durations. We also summarized the scientific knowledge on occupational exposures to PAH in fire suppression activities. More research into uncontrolled emergency fires is needed with regard to newer chemical classes of fire smoke retardant and occupational exposure pathways. Evidence-based PAH exposure assessments are critical for determining exposure–dose relationships in large epidemiological studies of occupational risk factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Jooyeon Hwang & Chao Xu & Robert J. Agnew & Shari Clifton & Tara R. Malone, 2021. "Health Risks of Structural Firefighters from Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:8:p:4209-:d:536988
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. David Moher & Alessandro Liberati & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Douglas G Altman & The PRISMA Group, 2009. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses: The PRISMA Statement," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-6, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. María José Aliaño-González & Gemma Montalvo & Carmen García-Ruiz & Marta Ferreiro-González & Miguel Palma, 2022. "Assessment of Volatile Compound Transference through Firefighter Turnout Gear," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-11, March.
    2. Gabriel Sousa & Joana Teixeira & Cristina Delerue-Matos & Bruno Sarmento & Simone Morais & Xianyu Wang & Francisca Rodrigues & Marta Oliveira, 2022. "Exposure to PAHs during Firefighting Activities: A Review on Skin Levels, In Vitro/In Vivo Bioavailability, and Health Risks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-22, October.
    3. Jooyeon Hwang & Chao Xu & Paul Grunsted & Robert J. Agnew & Tara R. Malone & Shari Clifton & Krista Thompson & Xin Xu, 2022. "Urinary Metabolites of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Firefighters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-14, July.
    4. Ting Zhu & Yuxiang Hu & Jooyeon Hwang & Dan Zhao & Libin Huang & Liang Qiao & Ankui Wei & Xin Xu, 2021. "Urinary Proteomics of Simulated Firefighting Tasks and Its Relation to Fitness Parameters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-16, October.

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