- West Midlands firefighters to be tested for cancer and other health issues as part of a UK-wide firefighter health monitoring research project, commissioned by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and carried out by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)
- Firefighters are currently not provided with regular monitoring in UK despite risk of occupational cancer
- Testing to take place on a football grounds as West Midlands Fire Service Chief Fire Officer fails to fully support the project
A firefighter cancer monitoring project has been launched in the West Midlands this week as part of a UK wide research project commissioned by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). The testing is being carried out by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), led by a world expert in fire toxicity, Professor Anna Stec.
Over a hundred firefighters are participating by providing blood and urine samples. The results will be used to detect cancers and other diseases at the early stages, and to identify evidence linking occupational cancers with exposure to toxic fire chemicals.
This follows research finding that incidence of cancer among UK firefighters aged 35-39 is up to 323% higher than in the general population in the same age category.
This testing project is the first of its kind to take place for firefighters in the UK and follows the World Health Organisation announcement that occupational exposure as a firefighter is carcinogenic.
Riccardo La Torre, Fire Brigades Unions national officer, said:
This research is a vital part of our campaign to protect firefighters from cancer and other occupational diseases. Firefighters have been leading the way in the fight to protect their health at work, in the face of appalling neglect from the government and employers.
It is shocking that firefighters have had to fund this cancer testing themselves through their union. Sadly, West Midlands Fire Service has failed to follow in the footsteps of other services by declining the opportunity to contribute.
The testing is taking place at a football ground because the Chief Fire Officer has refused to fully support the research. Firefighters thank Boldmere St. Michaels Football Club for this act of solidarity.”
Billy Holland, FBU regional secretary for the West Midlands said:
Every firefighter taking part in this ground-breaking research in the West Midlands should be proud of their contribution to making the profession safer.
The UK is decades behind the rest of the world when it comes to protecting firefighters from contaminants in fire. Alongside prevention, we need health monitoring to be rolled out for firefighters across the UK, to catch occupational diseases early.”
