| Document ID (ISN) | 74999 |
| CIS number |
00-823 |
| ISSN - Serial title |
1076-2752 - Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine |
| Year |
1999 |
| Convention or series no. |
|
| Author(s) |
Prezant D.J., Kelly K.J., Malley K.S., Karwa M.J., McLaughlin M.T., Hirschorn R., Brown A. |
| Title |
Impact of a modern firefighting protective uniform on the incidence and severity of burn injuries in New York City firefighters |
| Bibliographic information |
June 1999, Vol.41, No.6, p.469-479. Illus. 9 ref. |
| Abstract |
In 1994, The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) changed to modern firefighting protective uniforms, including both protective over-coats and over-pants, whereas traditional uniforms include only the over-coat. Modern uniforms are manufactured using improved thermal protective textiles that meet or exceed current National Fire Protection Association standards for structural firefighting. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of the modern uniform on the incidence and severity of FDNY burn injuries and the incidence and severity of other non-burn injuries. The number of lower-extremity burns decreased by 85% when 2 years' experience while wearing the modern uniform was compared with 2 years while wearing the traditional uniforms. Upper-extremity burns and head burns decreased by 65% and 40%, respectively. Severity indicators (days lost to medical leave, hospital admissions and skin grafts) for lower- and upper-extremity burn injuries were all substantially reduced. This occurred without significant change in the incidence or severity of trunk burns, heat exhaustion, inhalation injuries or cardiac events. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
fire fighting; heat protective clothing; burns |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
USA; New York; thermal comfort; heat exhaustion; injuries to lower extremities; head injuries; frequency rates; severity rates; injuries to upper extremities; inhalation toxicity |
| Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
| Country / State or Province | USA |
| Subject(s) |
Fire and explosions
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Fires, explosions and major hazards
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Fires
Protective clothing
|
