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Reproductive hazards of fire fighting II. Chemical hazards
Author(s) -
McDiarmid Melissa A.,
Lees Peter S. J.,
Agnew Jacqueline,
Midzenski Malinda,
Duffy Richard
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.4700190404
Subject(s) - medicine , environmental health , reproductive health , reproductive toxicity , firefighting , occupational safety and health , toxicology , toxicity , population , pathology , biology , chemistry , organic chemistry
Studies of the health of fire fighters have historically focused on non‐malignant respiratory disease and cancer. More recently, concerns have surfaced about reproductive health effects in many areas of the workforce, including fire fighting. These concerns prompted this review of chemical exposures that may contribute to adverse reproductive health outcomes in male as well as female fire fighters. A review of the industrial hygiene literature was undertaken to identify agents commonly found in fire smoke. These agents were then examined for evidence of reproductive toxicity or mutagenicity/carcinogenicity. This profile of chemical agents and their reproductive toxicities permits a qualitative determination that fire fighters are exposed to potential reproductive toxicants as a part of their normal fire fighting duties. Considerations for mitigating these risks are also discussed.