A recent study conducted by the Silent Spring Institute has revealed that female firefighters face a heightened risk of developing breast cancer due to exposure to toxic chemicals encountered on the job. While it is well-established that firefighters generally have higher cancer rates than the broader population, much of the existing research has focused on male firefighters, leaving a gap in understanding the specific risks faced by women in the profession.
As more women join firefighting ranks, understanding the health implications of workplace exposures is crucial for informing policies aimed at reducing these risks and enhancing workplace safety. “With more and more women entering the profession, it’s important to understand the impact of workplace exposures on their health,” said Ruthann Rudel, director of research at Silent Spring Institute and co-author of the study.
Published in the journal Toxics as part of a special issue on firefighters’ occupational health, the study involved a comprehensive review of chemical exposures linked to breast cancer. Rudel and her team analyzed data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the U.S. National Toxicology Program to identify chemicals known to cause mammary tumors in animal studies, as well as those associated with breast cancer in human populations.
The researchers identified over 100 studies detailing the various chemicals firefighters are exposed to during their work and screened these studies to determine which exposures are linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Their analysis pinpointed 12 specific chemicals or classes of chemicals that are prevalent in the firefighting environment and associated with breast cancer risk. Notable among these are benzene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), acetaldehyde, styrene, dioxins, flame retardants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Firefighters encounter these toxic substances while responding to various types of fires, including building fires, wildfires, and vehicle fires. Additional exposure can occur through harmful substances present in their protective gear, the air quality in fire stations, and diesel exhaust from fire trucks.
In prior research, Rudel and her collaborators found that female firefighters in San Francisco had higher blood levels of cancer-causing PFAS compared to women working in office environments. They also reported elevated levels of flame retardants, which are recognized as carcinogenic.
Manufacturers often incorporate PFAS into firefighter gear and firefighting foams. However, the origins of flame retardants remain unclear—whether they stem from the gear itself or other sources. “If it turns out the chemicals are being added to turnout gear, that would be important to know so that they can be replaced with safer alternatives,” Rudel noted. Additionally, she suggested that transitioning to electric fire trucks could reduce exposures to harmful PAHs found in diesel exhaust.
Understanding the unique risks that female firefighters face not only has the potential to inform policy changes aimed at improving workplace safety but also ensures that these workers receive appropriate medical care and benefits if diagnosed with breast cancer. “This study fills an important research gap by underscoring the unique health risks female firefighters face from occupational exposures to toxic chemicals, specifically those linked to breast cancer,” said Dr. Dan Whu, Chief Medical Officer at the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).
Currently, 20 states have presumptive laws recognizing breast cancer as an occupational illness, which allows firefighters to access workers’ compensation, disability benefits, medical leave, and coverage for medical expenses. An additional 16 states have less specific laws that may include breast cancer under occupational illnesses. However, at the federal level, breast cancer is not included in current cancer presumptive legislation. “That means there are a lot of places in the country where female firefighters are not protected,” Rudel emphasized. “Hopefully, the findings from our study will change that.”
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