AACR Environmental Carcinogenesis: Silicone-Based Wristbands for Detection of Occupational Environmental Exposures for Firefighters
First responders such as paramedics and firefighters may be exposed to hazardous occupational environmental exposures, but linking these exposures to conditions such as cancers is difficult due to the latency period of disease, magnitude of potential exposure, and potential interactions of carcinogens present on work sites. In an effort to better monitor the relationship between environmental exposures and toxicity, passive personal sampling devices have been used in these populations.
In a study presented by Caban-Martinez et al at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) conference on Environmental Carcinogenesis: Potential Pathway to Cancer Prevention, researchers sought to describe the types of occupational environmental exposures encountered by firefighters specifically, compare exposures among different kinds of occupational activities, and test the use of a wristband designed for monitoring exposures in the field.
Study Methods
Twenty-four wristbands were sent to various fire services across Southern Florida. The bands were cleaned and packaged prior to use to avoid contamination and optimize absorption.
Wristbands were worn by fire service staff for a 24-hour work shift. Postcollection, chemical contaminants were extracted from the bands and analyzed for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry.
Findings
The average number of chemicals found across all 24 bands was 23, with 4 of those being categorized as carcinogenic—benzo[b]fluranthene, benzo[j]fluranthene, chrysene, and naphthalene. All 24 bands were found to have at least one polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon—100% contained naphthalene, 87.5% contained benzo[b]fluranthene, 79.2% contained chrysene, and 50% contained benzo[j]fluranthene.
The authors wrote, “Actual types of exposure compounds are likely to be [more numerous] than the observed data, as the group of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons detected was limited to three existing datasets.”
“Objective measures of harmful chemical exposures in the fire service should be monitored with a comprehensive surveillance system that includes personal sampler devices,” they concluded.
Disclosure: For full disclosures of the study authors, visit aacr.org.
The content in this post has not been reviewed by the American Society of Clinical Oncology, Inc. (ASCO®) and does not necessarily reflect the ideas and opinions of ASCO®.
