Australian firefighters' exposure to air toxics during bushfire burns of autumn 2005 and 2006

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BushfireTopic: 
Health and Safety
ResearchAdoption: 
Protecting fire fighters
Project Reference: 
Air Toxics Exposure and Management
TitleAustralian firefighters' exposure to air toxics during bushfire burns of autumn 2005 and 2006
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2009
AuthorsReisen, F, Brown, SK
JournalEnvironment International
Volume35
Issue2
Pagination342 - 352
Date Published02/2009
AbstractBushfire fighting is a hazardous occupation and control strategies are generally in place to minimize the hazards. However, little is known regarding firefighters' exposure to bushfire smoke, which is a complex mixture of toxic gases and particles. In Australia, during the prescribed burning season, firefighters are likely to be exposed on a regular basis to bushfire smoke, but whether these exposures affect health has yet to be determined. There are a number of factors that govern whether exposure to smoke will result in short-term and/or long-term health problems, including the concentrations of air pollutants within the breathing zone of the firefighter, the exposure duration, and health susceptibility of the individual, especially for pre-existing lung or heart disease. This paper presents measurements of firefighters' personal exposure to bushfire smoke, the first step within a risk management framework. It provides crucial information on the magnitude, extent and frequency of personal exposure to bushfire smoke for a range of typical scenarios. It is found that the primary air toxics of concern are carbon monoxide (CO), respirable particles and formaldehyde. Also, work activity is a major factor influencing exposure with exposure standards (both average and short-term limits) likely to be exceeded for activities such as suppression of spot fires, holding the fireline, and patrolling at the edge of a burn area in the urban–rural interface.
DOI10.1016/j.envint.2008.08.011
Short TitleEnvironment International
Refereed DesignationRefereed