Asbestos inhalation a danger for firefighters

In the line of duty, firefighters are exposed to fire, smoke and extreme heat. Asbestos exposure is another hazard they also face when fighting fires. When a fire breaks out in a building that contains asbestos or the building collapses, asbestos fibers can be released into the air. Firefighters generally wear air masks with self-contained air canisters, but these canisters only last about 30 minutes. If the firefighters don’t have additional canisters readily available in the middle of a blaze, they may have to work without respiratory protection.

When the World Trade Center collapsed on September 11, 2001, hundreds of emergency responders were exposed to toxic dust, debris and contaminants. In a study conducted by Mount Sinai Medical Center in 2006, researchers found that nearly 70% of emergency responders who answered the call at the World Trade Center still were suffering from lung problems.

One of the largest asbestos testing laboratories in the United States wants firefighters and other emergency responders to know of the health risks associated with exposure to asbestos and other contaminants. Asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer, can take decades to manifest. –http://www.mesotheliomanews.com