- 100 firefighters to be tested for cancer and other health issues in Tyne and Wear as part of a national firefighter health monitoring research project, commissioned by the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) and carried out by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
- Firefighters are not currently provided with regular health monitoring in UK despite latest evidence of significant cancer and other diseases incidence and mortality rates
- FBU calls on government and fire service employers to take urgent action to protect firefighters
Today, Monday 13th November, a ground-breaking firefighter health monitoring project returns to Newcastle, with 100 firefighters from across the North East participating.
Testing will take place in Newcastle, where the first 15 firefighters volunteered to take part in the research in February as part of the 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, and will conclude on Wednesday 15th November.
Over 1,000 firefighters across the UK have participated by providing blood and urine samples to be analysed for the number of biomarkers of cancers and other diseases, and toxic chemicals. 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 recently released publications, finding that instances of cancer among UK firefighters aged 35-39 is up to 323% higher than in the general population in the same age category. The research also found that firefighters face higher mortality rates from cancers, heart attacks and strokes.
This testing project is the first of its kind to take place for firefighters in the UK following the recent World Health Organisation announcement that occupational exposure as a firefighter is carcinogenic.
Riccardo la Torre, FBU national officer said:
The UK is decades behind the rest of the world when it comes to protecting firefighters from toxic contaminants and occupational cancers.
The government and fire service employers have refused to act for far too long. Despite knowing that firefighters are at risk from rare cancers, and this occupational risk now being confirmed by the world health organisation, nowhere near enough has been done to make sure firefighters receive early diagnosis and treatment.
Firefighters have made this research project possible through their union, and the results will contribute to our knowledge of this issue and help save firefighter lives. It’s already all too clear that we need urgent action and bosses must take responsibility. We thank those fire services that have been supportive of this life saving project and urge those that aren’t to get on board”.
FBU Tyne and Wear brigade secretary Wayne Anderson said:
Firefighters in the North East are proud to have led the way in this vital firefighter cancer research. We launched the testing in Newcastle last February, and since then over 1,000 firefighters have taken part across the UK.
The University of Central Lancashire team tested 15 firefighters here in February and are now able to return to test over 100, with thanks to the ongoing support of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue service.
It’s a real testament to the dedication of firefighters and everyone involved. We’ve shown what can be done. Now we need regular health monitoring for every UK firefighter."
