Characterizing exposure to benzene, toluene, and naphthalene in firefighters wearing different types of new or laundered PPE.

ABSTRACT: The fire service has become more aware of the potential for adverse health outcomes due to occupational exposure to hazardous combustion byproducts. Because of these concerns, personal protective equipment (PPE) manufacturers have developed new protection concepts like particulate-blocking hoods to reduce firefighters' exposures. Additionally, fire departments have implemented exposure reduction interventions like routine laundering of PPE after fire responses. This study utilized a fireground exposure simulator (FES) with 24 firefighters performing firefighting activities on three consecutive days wearing one of three PPE ensembles (stratified by hood design and treatment of PPE): 1) new knit hood, new turnout jacket and new turnout pants 2) new particulate-blocking hood, new turnout jack

SUBMITTER: Mayer AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9903203 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature