BACKGROUND: Fire fighters are exposed to a wide variety of toxic chemicals. Previous studies have reported excess risk of some cancers but have been limited by small numbers or little information on employment characteristics. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort mortality study among 7,789 Philadelphia firefighters employed between 1925 and 1986. For each cause of death, the standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated. We also compared mortality among groups of firefighters defined by the estimated number of career runs and potential for diesel exposure. RESULTS: In comparison with U.S. white men, the firefighters had similar mortality from all causes of death combined (SMR = 0.96) and all cancers (SMR = 1.10). There were statistically significant deficits of deaths from nervous system diseases (SMR = 0.47), cerebrovascular diseases (SMR = 0.83), respiratory diseases (SMR = 0.67), genitourinary diseases (SMR = 0.54), all accidents (SMR = 0.72), and suicide (SMR = 0.66). Statistically significant excess risks were observed for colon cancer (SMR = 1.51) and ischemic heart disease (SMR = 1.09). The risks of mortality from colon cancer (SMR = 1.68), kidney cancer (SMR = 2.20), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (SMR = 1.72), multiple myeloma (SMR = 2.31), and benign neoplasms (SMR = 2.54) were increased among firefighters with at least 20 years of service. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found no significant increase in overall mortality among Philadelphia firefighters. However, we observed increased mortality for cancers of the colon and kidney, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma. There was insufficient follow-up since the introduction of diesel equipment to adequately assess risk.
BACKGROUND: Fire fighters are exposed to a wide variety of toxic chemicals. Previous studies have reported excess risk of some cancers but have been limited by small numbers or little information on employment characteristics. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort mortality study among 7,789 Philadelphia firefighters employed between 1925 and 1986. For each cause of death, the standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) and 95% confidence intervals were estimated. We also compared mortality among groups of firefighters defined by the estimated number of career runs and potential for diesel exposure. RESULTS: In comparison with U.S. whitemen, the firefighters had similar mortality from all causes of death combined (SMR = 0.96) and all cancers (SMR = 1.10). There were statistically significant deficits of deaths from nervous system diseases (SMR = 0.47), cerebrovascular diseases (SMR = 0.83), respiratory diseases (SMR = 0.67), genitourinary diseases (SMR = 0.54), all accidents (SMR = 0.72), and suicide (SMR = 0.66). Statistically significant excess risks were observed for colon cancer (SMR = 1.51) and ischemic heart disease (SMR = 1.09). The risks of mortality from colon cancer (SMR = 1.68), kidney cancer (SMR = 2.20), non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (SMR = 1.72), multiple myeloma (SMR = 2.31), and benign neoplasms (SMR = 2.54) were increased among firefighters with at least 20 years of service. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found no significant increase in overall mortality among Philadelphia firefighters. However, we observed increased mortality for cancers of the colon and kidney, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma. There was insufficient follow-up since the introduction of diesel equipment to adequately assess risk.
Authors: Huimin Yan; Christopher A Fahs; Sushant Ranadive; Lindy M Rossow; Abbi D Lane; Stamatis Agiovlasitis; George Echols; Denise Smith; Gavin P Horn; Thomas Rowland; Bo Fernhall Journal: Eur J Appl Physiol Date: 2011-10-29 Impact factor: 3.078
Authors: Robert D Daniels; Stephen Bertke; Matthew M Dahm; James H Yiin; Travis L Kubale; Thomas R Hales; Dalsu Baris; Shelia H Zahm; James J Beaumont; Kathleen M Waters; Lynne E Pinkerton Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2015-02-11 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: Carolina Bigert; Per Gustavsson; Kurt Straif; Dirk Taeger; Beate Pesch; Benjamin Kendzia; Joachim Schüz; Isabelle Stücker; Florence Guida; Irene Brüske; Heinz-Erich Wichmann; Angela C Pesatori; Maria Teresa Landi; Neil Caporaso; Lap Ah Tse; Ignatius Tak-Sun Yu; Jack Siemiatycki; Jérôme Lavoué; Lorenzo Richiardi; Dario Mirabelli; Lorenzo Simonato; Karl-Heinz Jöckel; Wolfgang Ahrens; Hermann Pohlabeln; Adonina Tardón; David Zaridze; John K Field; Andrea 't Mannetje; Neil Pearce; John McLaughlin; Paul Demers; Neonila Szeszenia-Dabrowska; Jolanta Lissowska; Peter Rudnai; Eleonora Fabianova; Rodica Stanescu Dumitru; Vladimir Bencko; Lenka Foretova; Vladimir Janout; Paolo Boffetta; Susan Peters; Roel Vermeulen; Hans Kromhout; Thomas Brüning; Ann C Olsson Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 2016-11 Impact factor: 2.162
Authors: Emily H Sparer; Daniel P Prendergast; Jennifer N Apell; Madeleine R Bartzak; Gregory R Wagner; Gary Adamkiewicz; Jaime E Hart; Glorian Sorensen Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 2017-10 Impact factor: 2.162
Authors: Robert D Daniels; Travis L Kubale; James H Yiin; Matthew M Dahm; Thomas R Hales; Dalsu Baris; Shelia H Zahm; James J Beaumont; Kathleen M Waters; Lynne E Pinkerton Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2013-10-14 Impact factor: 4.402
Authors: Rebecca J Tsai; Sara E Luckhaupt; Pam Schumacher; Rosemary D Cress; Dennis M Deapen; Geoffrey M Calvert Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2015-05-06 Impact factor: 3.079