Exposures to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Their Mitigation in Wildland Firefighters in Two Canadian Provinces.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

We aimed to characterize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the breathing zone and on the skin of wildland firefighters and to assess their contribution to urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP) over repeated firefighting rotations. We asked if improved skin hygiene or discretionary use of an N95 mask would reduce absorption.

Methods

In collaboration with wildfire services of two Canadian provinces, Alberta and British Columbia (BC), we recruited wildland firefighters from crews willing to be followed up over successive rotations and to be randomly assigned to normal practice, enhanced skin hygiene (ESH), or ESH plus discretionary use of an N95 mask. We collected spot urine samples at the beginning and end of up to four rotations/firefighter. On designated fire da

SUBMITTER: Cherry N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10015798 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature