Firefighters have a 9 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer and a 14 percent higher risk of dying from cancer than the general U.S. population, according to research by the CDC/National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH).
Do firefighters die younger?
Firefighters have shorter life expectancies than the average population and are three times more likely to die on the job, partly due to inherent risks, physical and mental stresses, and exposures to toxic and carcinogenic compounds released in smoke (source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, University of Cincinnati).
Why is cancer common in firefighters?
When materials burn, they release a number of carcinogens (cancer-causing agents) including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a group of more than 100 chemicals. Exposure to some PAHs can cause cancer. Firefighters may also encounter other known carcinogens such as asbestos and diesel exhaust.
What happens to firefighters who die of cardiac arrest?
Heart disease common among firefighters who die of cardiac arrest. (Reuters Health) – Most firefighters who die from cardiac arrest turn out to have narrowing of the heart arteries or structural damage in their hearts, a recent study suggests. When firefighters become suddenly incapacitated on the job, it endangers their lives.
How does being a firefighter affect your retirement?
Firefighters often retire earlier, and earn a higher percentage of their salary in retirement than many other professions. There are many factors that contribute to the enhanced retirement benefits that firefighters have fought for over the past 50 years.
Where does the money for a firefighter pension come from?
Out of every dollar that funds a firefighter’s pension and health insurance plan, 100% comes from the workers: this is because the “contributions” consist of money that employees chose, through negotiations, to take as deferred wages when they retire]
What to look for in a firefighter with heart disease?
“Therefore, while firefighter screening has traditionally focused on coronary artery disease (cardiac risk factors and stress tests), it should also include imaging such as an echocardiogram to identify possible heart enlargement, increased wall thickness or the presence of an old heart attack,” Kales said.
