| Document ID (ISN) | 111121 |
| CIS number |
10-0733 |
| ISBN(s) |
978-2-89631-296-2 |
| Year |
2008 |
| Convention or series no. |
Studies and Research Projects Report R-572
|
| Author(s) |
Austin C. |
| Title |
Wildland firefighter health risks and respiratory protection |
| Bibliographic information |
Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail du Québec (IRSST), 505 boul. de Maisonneuve Ouest, Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3C2, Canada, 2008. ix, 78p. Illus. Approx. 200 ref. Price: CAD 12.60. Downloadable version (PDF format) free of charge. |
| Internet access |
Report_R-572.pdf [in English]
|
| Abstract |
Wildland firefighters are exposed to a complex mixture of combustion products, vapours and irritant gases, carcinogens, inhalable particles and nanoparticles. These workers exert considerable effort in fighting fires and their work shifts are sometimes longer than 16 hours. Research has shown that their exposure to certain toxic products exceeds the permitted limits, at least some of the time, and that they can be affected by respiratory and neurological problems. In the United States, the National Fire Protection Association is preparing a new respiratory protection standard for wildland firefighting. This report mainly describes the working conditions of wildland firefighters and the most hazardous substances for their health. It concludes that these workers must wear appropriate respirators and know the efficiency and lifetime of filter cartridges in their work context. It recommends that current equipment be used in conjunction with a carbon monoxide detector. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
Quebec; toxic substances; smoke; conditions of work; fire fighting; personal protective equipment |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
Canada; heat load; job study; air purifying respirators; threshold limit values; literature survey; report |
| Document type |
E - Books, reports, proceedings |
| Subject(s) |
Commerce, services, offices
Personal protection
Occupational physiology
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
Physiology, ergonomics
Chemical safety
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Fire fighting, police, prisons and the armed forces
|
